Gerald Raymond Hawking

83, entered eternal life on March 10, 2012. The love of his life was his wife Margie, his sweetheart since kindergarten. They were blessed with nine children, Mike, Teresa, Debby, Karla, Pete, Joe, Anne, Mary and Patty. They had twenty-four grandchildren, and sixteen great-grandchildren all of whom they loved and enjoyed. Born and raised in Aurora, Illinois, Jerry was the youngest of 5 boys, son of Edward and Theresa Hawking. Jerry and Margie met in 1934 and were wed at Our Lady of Good Council, in Aurora, Illinois on July, 1948. He was a loving and selfless husband, father, friend, grandfather and great grandfather as well as a devoted servant of God and his church. In the summer of 1957 Jerry and Margie chose to move their family of 5 to Arizona, building a life around their growing family rather than Jerry pursuing a professional baseball career. Over the course of his working life he was employed at General Electric, Smith Pipe and Steel and retired as an accountant from American Water Works. He also created his own business, El Hawko imports, importing clothes and goods from Mexico. Jerry was a parishioner of St. Simon and Jude Cathedral for 54 years, never missed a fall festival, was a canter and Eucharistic minister and a member of Knights of Columbus. Jerry loved life and lived it with passion and joy. Golfing with family and friends, he won several of the Green Dragon Golf Tournaments. He loved gardening with his grandchildren; this year's tomato crop was just put in two weeks ago under his supervision. Trips with family and friends to Puerto Vallarta, summers in Flagstaff, holiday and birthday gatherings were all cherished times for him. Jerry loved sports as well, as a young man he was offered a contract with a minor league baseball team and later was an avid fan of the Chicago Cubs and Bears. Whether it was camping or fishing, singing happy birthday in Spanish, dancing with Margie, cruising with friends and his children or just having a beer at the Dragon, Jerry lived life with joy surrounded by family and friends. He and his warm and engaging smile will be deeply missed by them. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Loretta Sisters Retirement Fund at SS. Simon and Jude Cathedral, 6351 N. 27th Ave. Phoenix, Arizona 85013. Viewing & Prayer service Thursday March 15, 2012 from 5-7 p.m. A.L. Moore Grimshaw Mortuary 710 West Bethany Home Road, Phoenix. Mass on Friday March 16, 2012 12noon at SS Simon & Jude Cathedral. Interment to follow at Holy Cross Cemetery 99th Ave. and Thomas Rd. www.almoore-grimshaw.com