Gerald Bryan McSweeney

Mr. McSweeney was born November 29, 1924, in Brooklyn, New York, to Edmund and Julia (McSweeney) MacSweeney. His parents met on the voyage emigrating from Ireland.

He served as lieutenant JG (junior grade), in WWII, from 1943 – 1946, and then in the Naval Reserves from 1948 – 1956.

Jerry attended Columbia University in New York, and earned a degree in chemical engineering. He worked as a chemical engineer until retiring in 1988, at age 64.

In 1953, Jerry married Catherine Mulligan, and together they moved to Iselin, New Jersey and started their family. Jerry liked to travel and experience new places and people, frequently moving himself and his family to new homes in Texas, Pennsylvania, Nevada, Washington, North Dakota, and Kentucky.

He was a devout Roman Catholic, attending mass regularly, and served in the Knights of Columbus in the 1980s.

Jerry was methodical and purposeful in his actions, refusing to be rushed when set to a task. He was a scientist, through and through. Throughout his life, his energy and curiosity would be piqued by natural phenomena. The most joyful moments of his last years were the times spent with his grandchildren, making observations, and setting up experiments. He was deeply loved and adored by his granddaughters who called him "Pappa".

He loved to hear and tell jokes and had a knack for making fun of music from the late 70’s, changing the words and singing loudly with a fair amount of “pizzazz” and a little off tune. Jerry’s version of You Don’t Have to be a Star – “baby, to be in Dad’s picture show” was one his daughters heard many times.

Gerald is survived by his first wife, Catherine McSweeney Sommer; his children, Daniel McSweeney and his wife Betsy, Bryan McSweeney, Lisa McSweeney Shindler and her husband Tom, and Julia McSweeney; his grandchildren, Katie McSweeney Clement, Lauren McSweeney, Jessica McSweeney Johnston, Nicholas Shindler, Simon Shindler, Chelsea Young, Connor McSweeney, Isaiah McSweeney, and Emanuel McSweeney; his great-grandson, Keegan Clement; his brother, Dr. James McSweeney, DDS and his wife Maryjane; his niece, Marylou McSweeney Wilson, and nephew, Dr. James McSweeney, MD; and his dedicated and lifelong friends, in particular William and Eleanor Mathews.

He was preceded in death by his daughter, Susan McSweeney, and nephew, Kevin McSweeney.

Services will be held on Thursday, Feb. 23, 2012 at St. Michael Parish in Olympia, WA (downtown location). The visitation will be at 11:00 a.m. followed by the Funeral Mass at 12:00 p.m. Services will conclude at 2:00 p.m., with a Graveside Serivce at Mills & Mills Memorial Park, Tumwater, WA.