Obituary of Jerome R. Lalonde

Jerome R. Lalonde, 87, of Clinton, passed away peacefully with his family by his side on Saturday, February 8, 2014 at the Presbyterian Home. He was born in Waterville, NY on June 14, 1926, the son of the late Eugene and Mildred (St. Denis) Lalonde and attended St. Francis DeSales School. He served in the US Navy during World War II from 1943-1946 in the Pacific Theatre aboard the USS Brackett destroyer escort and USS Refuge hospital ship. On June 7, 1952, he was united in marriage to Margaret Ondarcho at St. Mary's Church in Clinton. Jerry was the owner of Ja-Mar Cleaning Service and worked for and retired from New York State Dept of Transportation. Upon his retirement, he worked in security at Hamilton College and operated J.R. Locksmithing for many years. He was a member of the American Legion Helmuth-Ingalls Post #232, and the Schilling-Burns-Young Veterans of Foreign Wars #9591. He is survived by his wife, Margaret; his eight children and their spouses, Susan Craver and Gary Wilson, Nancy Hinge, Andrew and Sandra (Reilly) Lalonde, Regina Lalonde, Pierre and JoAnn (Grube) Lalonde, Kathryn and Clark Bridge, Morris and Sarah (Whittemore) Lalonde and Theresa and Paul Finnegan; sixteen grandchildren, Daniel and Natalie (Stemler) Craver, Jeffrey and Danielle Craver, Margaret Hinge, Ned Hinge, Emma Lalonde, Christopher and Molly Lalonde, Rachael Bridge and Bill O'Sullivan, Nathan Bridge, Jillian Lalonde, Noah Lalonde, Craig Lalonde and Chelsea Williamson, Amanda Lalonde, Maureen Finnegan, Kelsey Finnegan and Bridget Finnegan; two great-grandchildren, Evalee Craver and Taegan Craver; a sister and brother-in-law, Margaret and James Byrne; many nieces and nephews; and special mention to his cousins Carol and Dick Simpson and long-time friends, Ed Baker and Joe St. Denis. He was predeceased by a grandson Michael Paul Finnegan, a sister Pauline Desnoyers and a brother Rev. Venant Lalonde, O.F.M. All are invited to call Tuesday, February 11, 2014 from 2-4 and 6-8 pm at Owens-Pavlot & Rogers Funeral Service, Inc, 35 College St., Clinton. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10am Wednesday at St. Mary's Church in Clinton. Burial will be in St. Mary's Cemetery. To all of those at the Presbyterian Home who interacted with and helped Jerry during his stay, including the staff, residents and families, a very special "thank you!" Your caring, kindness, respect and love made him comfortable enough to truly feel he was "at home". Please consider donations in Jerry's memory to the Rescue Mission of Utica or the Steven-Swan Humane Society.