Gerald Eugene Deal

September 10, 1931 - August 5, 2017

GENEVA - Gerald ("Jerry") Eugene Deal, 85, of Stanley, NY passed away peacefully at Geneva General Hospital with his wife of 50 years, Mabel, by his side on Saturday, August 5, 2017.     Calling hours will be held on Friday, August 11th, from 4 - 6 pm at the DeVaney-Bennett Funeral Home in Geneva, NY.  A Celebration of His Life will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, August 12th at the DeVaney-Bennett Funeral Home, followed by a burial service in Mt. Green Cemetery in Romulus, NY.  A reception will follow at the Geneva Country Club.    In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in his name to one of two funds:  The Marcus Whitman Sports Program, District Office, 4100 Baldwin Road, Rushville, NY 14544 (checks should be payable to "Marcus Whitman CSD", in memory of Jerry Deal), or the Geneva Scholarship Fund: Geneva Scholarship Associates, Hobart & William Smith Colleges, 615 South Main Street, Geneva, NY 14456-9986 (checks should be made payable to the "Ed & Gerry Cuony Scholarship Fund").   Jerry was born in Geneva, NY, on September 10, 1931, to Alberta & Howard Deal.  He graduated from Geneva High School in 1949.  Jerry went on to Geneseo College where he earned a Bachelor's degree in Education in 1956 and later a Masters degree in Education from Alfred University.   In 1956, Jerry began his teaching career in Geneva where he would teach 8th grade history for 34 years.  Jerry was a Civil War expert who could always hold your interest with the details of any Civil War battles or recite the Gettysburg Address from memory.  Jerry also had a love of sports.  He played or coached almost every sport you can imagine at one time in his life.  He coached freshman basketball for 13 years and also coached golf and lacrosse for several years.  In May 1996, Jerry was inducted into the Geneva Sports Hall of Fame with the 1949-1950 men's basketball team which won the Section V AA championship, the first in the history of the school.   Jerry's greatest joy was spending time with his family and traveling with his wife Mabel.  Over the years, they made numerous trips to visit family and loved going to Hawaii for weeks at a time.  In addition to traveling, a great deal of his time was spent at the Geneva Country Club where he began as a caddie in 1941 and was a member there for nearly 60 years.  Jerry loved playing golf & attending Friday fish fries with family and friends.  The Country Club was also Jerry's venue of choice when it came to hosting multiple anniversaries and birthday parties, all filled with celebration and laughter.   In his children, Jerry instilled the value of education, a solid work ethic, quick wit, and love for family and friends; to appreciate what you have, and not worry about what you don't; and, finally, to appreciate a stiff cocktail, a good book, and a fine cigar.   Jerry is survived by his beloved wife, Mabel, with whom he spent 50 wonderful years of marriage; his son (Ray), his stepchildren (Lee, Barb, and Jim Young), eight grandchildren (Brian, Kevin, Christopher, Sara, Stephanie, Henry, Katie, and Elizabeth); and several cousins.