Gerald Drechsler

11/13/40 – 1/21/26

Gerald (Jerry) Edward Drechsler was born on November 13, 1940 in Meriden, CT to the late Stanley Drechsler and Irene Drechsler-LaQuerre. Jerry is survived by his devoted wife of 61 years, Faith Drechsler, and children Shelley Taylor and her husband Rich; Daniel Drechsler and his wife Andrea; and Susan Moutta and her husband Bobby. He is predeceased by a sister Joy Dondero and survived by a brother Mark Drechsler and sister Mary Drechsler. He was blessed with four granddaughters, Alexa, Ariana, Halley and Hannah, two step grandsons Noah and Ben, and a great granddaughter Vivienne.

He attended Notre Dame High School in West Haven, CT where he excelled as a student and received medals for Excellence in Religion and Marksmanship. He graduated from Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, NY with a Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering. Jerry began his professional career at Terry Steam Turbine in Hartford, CT and spent the remaining 27 years of his career at Northeast Utilities (NU) in Maintenance & Reliability Engineering where he was frequently commended for his dedication, rotating machinery expertise, and delivering cost savings and productivity improvements. He maintained a Professional Engineer’s license and received the distinguished Engineer of the Year Award from the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME). Jerry co-founded the Millstone Scuba team, which inspected intake structures and water containment vessels. He dove recreationally and performed equipment maintenance and recovery for the Westbrook commercial fishing fleet.

In his youth Jerry was an avid fisherman, hunter and trapper. He grew into a “Jack of all Trades,” mastering auto mechanics, carpentry, masonry, electrical, plumbing and landscaping. He was a collector of military memorabilia, millstones, ship heads, and mermaid keepsakes, and stewarded an award-winning naval weapons collection. Dubbed “Clinton’s Anchor Man”, he spent many years researching, salvaging, buying and selling anchors. He was an avid stone cutter, crafting tables, benches, steps, gardens, walkways and bird baths.

Jerry was a generous donor of time, talent and skills to community, family and friends. He designed and built the Grace Church stone Memorial Garden, installed the granite Grace Church sign and benches and St Mary’s baptismal font. He was also a member of the Westbrook Elks Club.

Jerry is remembered as a devoted husband, wonderful father, loving grandfather, generous provider and one always willing to lend a helping hand in service of God, family, community and church.

Attendees are encouraged to dress in hues of blue to reflect Jerry's love of the ocean.

Calling hours are Sun. Feb. 1 from 4 – 7 PM at Swan Funeral Home, Clinton CT. Funeral Mass is 11 AM Mon. Feb. 2 at St. Mary’s Church, Clinton.