Gerald (“Pete”) Ernest Wells passed away on February 2, 2025 surrounded by his loving family. Pete was born in Ithaca, NY on October 30th, 1940 to Arthur and Dorothy Wells where he was the 5th of 6 children. Pete grew up in Brooktondale, N.Y. and graduated from Ithaca High School. Pete’s Brooktondale adventures live on through the many stories of his antics with his brothers and sister.
After High School, Pete received his Bachelor’s degree in Business from Tri-State (Trine) University in Indiana. Upon graduating, Pete began his career in the Insurance Industry, which spanned 55 years. He started with The Travelers Insurance Company in Rochester N.Y. before starting his own Insurance agency in Ithaca N.Y. where he and his life-long friend Charlie Becker partnered for decades with the Becker-Wells Insurance Agency. Pete was a faithful member of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in Ithaca, NY, as well as the Lansing United Methodist Church. In addition, he was a proud member of the Ithaca Masons, Rotary Club and was on the board of directors for the East Lawn cemetery in Ithaca.
Pete met the love of his life and best friend, Beverley (Thomas) Wells in December of 1966 and married her 3 months later, spanning a beautiful life and marriage of almost 58 years. They raised their talented, gorgeous, and often hilarious 3 daughters in Lansing, N.Y. and lived there for over 40 years. Once Pete retired, they relocated to P.A. to be closer to their favorite son-in-law (and daughters).
Pete is survived by his wife, Beverley A. Wells; daughters, Linda (Ruben) Payan of Maryland; Mary (Mark) Call of Pennsylvania; Nancy (David) Dillon of Ohio. His grandchildren; Shawn Witschen, Ruben Payan, Madeline Call, and Peter Payan. His brothers Richard (Berna) Wells of Missouri and David (Jane) Wells of New York. His sisters-in-law Virginia Wagner and Sally Thomas.
Pete’s family and friends will remember him for the love he had for his wife, daughters, grandchildren and family, his wicked sense of humor, and his charismatic personality. He loved old western movies, country music (George Jones), snickers candy bars, and a good joke. Fun fact - He was an avid golfer and his consistent straight drives earned him the nickname “Fairway Pete.”
Pete is preceded in death by his sister Marilyn (Wells) Hine, brothers Donald Wells, Bill Wells and Phil English, sisters-in-law Meredith (Erickson) Wells and Patricia (Mulks) Wells, brother-in-law’s Laverne (Jiggs) Hine, Ernest Thomas, Joseph Wagner, and his beautiful grandson Jackson Call.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Pete’s name can be made online or via mail to The Jackson Call Foundation.
The Jackson Call Foundation
PO Box 151
Cornwall, PA 17016
Services will be held at the Cornwall Manor Chapel, 1 Boyd Street, Cornwall PA 17016 on Friday, February 7, 2025 with a 3:00pm - 4:00pm viewing and funeral immediately following.
