Gerald Chromey

February 5, 1925 ~ November 23, 2017

Gerald Chromey, 92, of Huron passed away Thursday, November 23, 2017. After spending precious time with family and friends, he passed calmly at Providence Care Center with Stein Hospice in attendance.

This warm spirit came to us on February 5, 1925 from Duryea, Pennsylvania from the union of Catherine Zongila and George Chromey. Gerry grew up during the Great Depression fishing on the banks of the Susquehanna River when he was a boy. He graduated from Duryea High School in 1943 (and returned for his 50th Anniversary Reunion in 1993). He served as a signalman, at the young age of eighteen aboard LSM 8 during WWII in the U.S. Navy and fought in the South Pacific. He returned home at the end of the war and after brief employment in Rochester, New York came to reside in Ohio to court Eleanor Heindl. He wed her and had five children, three of whom survive: Christine Anderson, Cynthia (Ronald) Byrd and Caroline (John) Bletner.

His enthusiasm for transportation led him to jobs on the railroad and into a career in the petroleum industry. He eventually owned Young Equipment Company - a petroleum equipment company and was able to retire before age sixty-five. He enjoyed his golden years with his second wife and best friend - Joanne Strom. This marriage added three more to the family: Kris, David (Laura), and Erik Strom. He enjoyed five grandchildren (Jeremy, Joshua, Michelle, Argyro, and Jade) and seven (with a possible eight!) great-grandchildren. He was one of the most amiable people you would meet and sought to make lifelong friends from mere strangers wherever his travels and adventure took him. He was a long-time member of the Knights of Columbus, St. Peter Catholic Church, Huron, as well as the local St. Vincent De Paul Society where he served for twenty years including time as president.

His positive outlook was the best gift to all. Memories of Gerry may be shared by raising a glass of your best ale and cheer to life and the fine things it has to offer. Listen to a jazz tune, have dinner and cheesecake with your friends or take a canoe ride. Above all never stop learning and sharing. In this way we thank you to remember him.

Friends may call Saturday, Nov 25th from 10:30 a.m. until 11:45 a.m. at the Foster Funeral Home & Crematory, 410 Main Street, Huron. Funeral Mass will begin at 12 noon at St. Peter Catholic Church, 430 Main Street, Huron with Father Jeffrey McBeth officiating.