Gerald Vernon Parkhurst

WELLS – Gerald Vernon Parkhurst passed away on Nov. 14, 2025 at Avita Memory Care in Wells, at the age of 78.

Jerry leaves behind his wife of 54 years, Patricia (Tricia) Flaherty Parkhurst, currently residing at Avita Memory Care in Wells. He is also survived by sons Brendan and his wife Meg, of Kennebunk and son Matthew of Boston; three grandchildren: Bronwyn, Fionn, and Jameson of Kennebunk; sister Sharon Gauthier and husband Paul of Pepperell, Mass., niece Allyson (Gauthier) Bell and husband Robert Bell and their son Wyatt of Stow, Mass.; and nephew Andrew Gauthier and wife Christine and sons Cameron and Justin of Woburn, along with several cousins.

Jerry lived in New England for most of his life, and was proud of his family’s New England heritage. Born in Framingham, Mass., on Nov. 25, 1946, the son of Vernon and Arline (Wheet) Parkhurst. He attended school in Framingham and Weston, graduating from Weston High School in 1964. He went on to attend C.W. Post College, in Brookville, New York, graduating in 1968, where he joined the ROTC program. Upon graduation, he was commissioned Second Lieutenant as a combat engineer, and immediately entered active duty, being stationed at various Army Corps of Engineers locations. After completion of four years active duty, he joined the Army Reserve where he worked for several Military Intelligence units, collaborated with FEMA, became Deputy Chief of Staff for Intelligence for New England, and retired as a Lieutenant Colonel, after 30 years of service. Jerry was immensely proud of his service and considered it a great honor to be a part of the military.

Early in their marriage, Jerry and Tricia lived for a time in Western Massachusetts, before relocating to Watertown, Mass., to raise their two boys. He followed in the footsteps of his father and pursued a career in banking, working for several banks in Massachusetts. Towards the end of his career, Jerry transferred to Fort Myers, Florida, where he worked as a Senior Vice President with the Bank of America. He and Tricia purchased land and built a home on Sanibel Island, which had always been their dream. Jerry’s love for animals led him to volunteer at the Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife (CROW) on Sanibel, where he found great fulfillment in helping injured and orphaned wildlife. During the hot Florida summers, they migrated north to Kennebunk, and spent many wonderful days and nights with their family in Maine. Jerry even found time to pick up a few shifts at Cape Arundel Golf Club, working at the beautiful golf range facility.

Grampa Jerry was known for his outgoing personality and his ability to speak to anyone. What he loved most about life was traveling, reading, cooking, and puttering around. He was a loving son, brother, husband, father, and grandfather. He found joy in the simple things, always had a stain on his shirt, and nothing brought him more joy than picking up donuts on a Saturday morning for Bee, Fionny, and Jay. He will be greatly missed and remembered lovingly.

The family wishes to express their heartfelt gratitude to the staff at Avita Memory Care in Wells, for their exceptional care and kindness, and to the team at Compassus Hospice of Scarborough for helping make Jerry comfortable in his final days.

Visitation will be held on November 21, from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m., at Bibber Memorial Chapel in Kennebunk.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Jerry’s memory may be made to the Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife (CROW), 3883 Sanibel Captiva Road, Sanibel, FL 33957, or online at crowclinic.org.