HERKIMER-Gerald E. Francisco age 86 passed away peacefully on Saturday morning September 25, 2010 in Saint Elizabeths Medical Center, Utica. He had the comfort of his loving family at his side. He was born on March 9, 1924 in the town of Herkimer, son of the late Howard and Myrtle Denslow Francisco. A lifelong area resident he was raised in Middleville and was a graduate of West Canada Valley High School. An honorably discharged veteran of World War II, he served with the US Army in the Pacific Theatre primarily in the Philippinesand Okinawa where he was the recipient of the Purple Heart Award On December 31, 1945 he was united in marriage with the former Hazel E. Hubbard. They shared a loving and devoted union of over fifty-six years until her passing on September 25, 2002. They first made their home Middleville and in 1951 moved to Herkimer. For thirty-five years Jerry worked as manager in the service and parts departments of Castle Ford and later Skinner Ford in Herkimer. He retired in 1986. Mr. Francisco was a member of Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, Herkimer. He was also a member of the Michael S. Pliseck Veterans of Foreign Wars Post # 4915, Herkimer and the Disabled Veterans of America. In his leisure time he enjoyed golf, fishing, NASCAR racing and relaxation at his camp at Evergreen Lake. Jerry will always be remembered as a soft-spoken, gentle man. Any conversation with him was frank and to the point but he always left you with a strong feeling of warmth and friendship. He will be greatly missed by his many friends and family. Surviving him are one son Larry and his wife Cindy Francisco of Cudjoe Key, FL, two daughters, Jacalyn Francisco and Marc LaVigne of Merritt Island, FL, Lorraine Francisco and her husband John McGinn of Webster, three sisters, Ethel Clark of Herkimer, Shirley Simons of Middleville, Carol Blust and her husband William of Stittville, two grandchildren, Patrick LaVigne of Merritt Island, FL, Amanda Allen of Fort Payne, AL, two great-grandchildren, Sadie Allen and Emerson Jackson both of Fort Payne, AL, many nieces, nephews and cousins. Besides his parents and wife Hazel he was preceded in death by three brothers, Franklin, Kenneth and Howard Francisco and two sisters, Marjorie Brooks and Mary Hunt. Funeral service will be on Wednesday at 11:00 am in Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, Herkimer. The Reverend Ann Zimmerman, Pastor will officiate. Military honors will be accorded by the US Army at the conclusion of the funeral service. Interment in Middleville Cemetery will take place at a later date. The family will be present in Fenner Funeral Home Inc., 115 Court Street; Herkimer to receive relatives and friends on Tuesday from 4:00 until 7:00 pm. Expressions of sympathy may be made with memorial donations to the American Heart association. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.