Gerald D. Prickett

Born and raised in Montrose, Minn., he served in the U.S. Navy from 1954 to 1957 as a radioman aboard the USS Forrestal.

After his military service, he moved to Grasmere, and after he and Ellena J. Piluso wed, the couple relocated to Port Richmond. Forty-three years ago, they settled in Castleton Corners.

Mr. Prickett earned an associate's degree in business management from the College of Staten Island.

He had a 35-year career as an operations manager for INCO, and simultaneously worked as a freelance wedding and portrait photographer.

Mr. Prickett was a role model as a husband, father, grandfather and friend, his family said, noting that he drew his greatest pleasure from being with family and friends. He also had been a volunteer for the Have A Heart Foundation, which honored him for his service.

An expert marksman, as a youth he earned marksmanship badges from the National Rifle Association. He enjoyed hunting and was a member of the KEGS Hunting Club.

Mr. Prickett also was an avid golfer and boater and had been a member of the Great Kills Yacht Club since 1988.

He attended Blessed Sacrament R.C. Church, West Brighton.

Surviving, along with Ellena, his wife of 52 years, are his son, Gerald; his daughters, Laureen Quagliotti and Ronelle Prickett; a brother, David; a sister, Barbara Anderson, and five granddaughters.

The funeral will be Monday from the Casey Funeral Home, Castleton Corners, with a mass at 10 a.m. in Blessed Sacrament Church. Burial will follow in Moravian Cemetery, New Dorp.