Thursday, August 3, 2023
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Some early memories of time spent with Gerry. Gerry and I first met in high school. Soon after we met, Gerry invited me to join a band he was forming with another friend, Tom Corcoran. They already had a gig at a fraternity house in Long Branch, not too far from his family's summer cottage in Atlantic Highlands, NJ and needed another guitarist. Other than feeling ill-prepared, I don't recall much about playing at the party. But after it was over, Gerry's parents picked us up in their '57 Rambler Station Wagon and took us back to the cottage where we all stayed overnight. It was late in the fall and without enough beds inside, Gerry's younger brother Barry and I slept out in the cold on the porch. As there was no heat inside either, we all woke up freezing. Although there was no hot water either, for whatever reason, I decided to take a shower (which was outdoors). Although it only lasted about 5 minutes, Gerry and his family dubbed me "Mr. Clean", and I heard about that shower from them for years. Other memories at that cottage included a week in the summertime. Gerry had a 14 ft boat on the river. He was at home on the water, and we spent most of that week cruising back and forth from Sea Bright. Other memories of Gerry include my invitation for him to join me, Cliff Merganz, Mike Sinisi and Gary Overman in forming another band. The five of us hit our stride as a band and as friends, having many escapades along the way before we went our separate ways in 1968. Fortunately, a reunion in 1995 brought us all back together and our rekindled friendship lasted for the rest of our lives. Gerry was a good friend and I remember him as being fun to be with. He will be missed.
