Geneseo: December 4, 2019 at age 84 years. Predeceased by his parents, Kenneth and Helena Youtzy. Survived by his loving wife of 59 years, Virginia “Ginny” (Camp) Youtzy; daughter and son-in-law, Deborah “Debby” and Wayne Williams of North Carolina and daughter, Anita Youtzy of Geneseo; many Adopt-A-Student sons and daughters, extended family, and dear friends.
Gerry was born at home December 12, 1934 in Geneseo, NY to parents Kenneth and Helena (Hungerford) Youtzy. After meeting through a church college ministry at Geneseo United Methodist Church (GUMC) in 1959, Gerry and Ginny married August 27, 1960. He served in the Army National Guard for over 10 years. He attended Union College in Kentucky in the early 60’s, then went to Candler School of Theology at Emory University in Atlanta. After starting his ministry as a Methodist pastor in Georgia, Gerry and Ginny moved back to western New York, where he served as pastor in Batavia and Pavilion from ‘69-’74. Their first daughter, Deborah, was born in ’72 while they were in Pavilion, and their second daughter, Anita, was born after their return to Geneseo in ’75. Also upon the return to Geneseo, Gerry again became an active member of the GUMC and remained so until his death.
Gerry had many occupations throughout his life, one of which was as an employee, then owner and president of Livingston Abstract in Geneseo. He served his community on the Village Traffic Committee, Village Planning Board, as a Village Trustee, and as Village Clerk/Treasurer. Gerry loved the Buffalo Bills, Syracuse Orange, and Rochester Red Wings. He started the tradition of an annual GUMC trip to the 4 th of July Wings game, which grew to include the GUMC Choir singing the pre-game national anthem. After moving across town from the home he grew up in on E. South St, he could be found sitting outside on summer nights watching his evening primrose bloom. He enjoyed visiting with the many people who stopped by to chat, and invited locals and their guests from around the country and world alike to take time to smell (or at least watch) the flowers.
No prior calling hours. A Service to Celebrate Gerry’s Life will be held at 2pm on Saturday, January 4 th , at the Geneseo United Methodist Church, 4520 Genesee Street, Rte 63, Geneseo, NY 14454. After the service, a reception will be held in the church Fellowship Hall where family and friends may gather until 5pm. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Geneseo United Methodist Church at the address above, the Village of Geneseo Fire Department (local volunteer fire and ambulance), 133 Center Street, Geneseo, NY 14454, or a charity of your choice. To send a condolence or share a memory please visit: www.doughertyfuneralhomes.com.
God has truly blessed us with a great Family member with a servants heart, I always enjoyed talking to Gerry the little time I did and he was such a blessing, I enjoyed watching him and my Dad joke around and I can still hear them laughing in my head.our hearts and prayers for all the family. We will see each other again.
Aunt Ginny, Deb & Wayne, and Anita,Uncle Gerry was a man of courage and hope. I will always remember him as the person who brought the light of laughter into a room. He was happy and usually had a joke or a funny song to share. (Lambs eat oats…was one of my favorites as a child.)
What I would like to share with you, is that in 1972, Aunt Ginny and Uncle Gerry gave me my first camera. It was a Kodak Instamatic. I was 11 years old and it started me on a life-long journey with photography. He changed my life for the better and this was only one small thing that happened many years ago. He changed so many people’s lives in so many ways. He was truly a remarkable man and he will be missed.
Sending you lots of love from Tony and myself,Ellen
Mrs. Youtzy, Debbie, and Anita,
I am so very sorry to hear of Mr. Youtzy’s passing. He was a kind and gentle man. I can remember calling Anita when we were in school and if he answered the phone, he would chat for a bit while Anita finished up what she was doing then came to the phone. I can also remember him taking Anita and me to a Red Wings game on one occasion when I was spending the night.I know this is a sad, painful time, especially considering that it happened right after Anita’s birthday (and let’s put it out there–Anita was Daddy’s girl ? ) and with Christmas fast approaching. I pray that God will give you all comfort and strength. Please know that I am thinking of you.
Ginny, you won’t remember me, however, I do remember you & Gerry from the 1964-65 school year at Union College (KY) when we were all living at the married students’ apartments (College Courts). Especially memorable was Gerry cooking steaks on a grill at Christmas break time & the day was almost like a summer day. Everybody else had gone home. So it was just us New Yorkers & we had a really nice time together. Blessings on your many, many wonderful memories of happy times together with Gerry & your friends & family.
Dear Mrs Youtzy, I remember Gerry well from him serving with my father, Robert Burns who passed 19 years ago, at the Army National Guard in Geneseo. He was an exceptional man and always had a smile on his face. He would talk to me when I saw him even though I was a young child. My sympathy on his passing but I remember him as seeming to live a full life all the time.
May the blessings of the Lord be with you and Gerry as well as your family.SIncerely, Gerald “Gerry” Burns
Ginny and family,I was very sorry to read of Gerry’s passing. My sympathy and prayers are being lifted up for you at your time of loss. Sincerely, Pat Harter-Lawrence
Dear Ginny and Family,
Please accept our sincerest sympathy in the loss of Gerry, who served the United Methodist Church as a pastor. We thank you for sharing him with us, and trust you may take comfort in knowing that his ministries have reached out like pond ripples to touch the lives and hearts of many, even beyond our sight.
We hope you will be supported in the coming days by the comfort and kindness of those you love, and know that you and your family will be in our prayers.
Grace and peace,
The Board of Ordained Ministry of Upper New York Annual Conference
Dear Ginny and girls, Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Cousin Gerald was so good at letting us know of other family members who needed our prayers and he was helpful to me with the genealogy. May your sadness be replaced with happy memories. Love you all?
So sorry to hear of your passing Gerald. You are now in heaven with your three cousins you always hung around with when you were a little boy Beverly, Kay and Nancy. I am sure they welcomed you home. My memories of our Hungerford-Aldridge reunions are my very fondest. You were always interested in our family genealogy and shared whatever information you had since your Mom was our family genealogist. Rest in Peace Gerald until we meet again.
RIP Gerry. Your beautiful soul will be sorely missed. What a genuine and faith filled man. Sending hugs to Ginny, Debby and Wayne, and Anita.
Our deepest condolences go out to you Anita and your whole family.
Gerry was a sweet man and I know he will be missed deeply. May God bless your Mom and sister and again the whole family.With sadness and love.
Frank and Laurel (Fleming-Hungerford) Loiacono
So sorry to hear of Gerry’s passing. I always remember his kindness and initiative when he was on the Village Board. That was a long time ago when I was an officer in GPD.
All will be in my thoughts and prayers.God Bless.
Mary Morsch
We have truly lost a beautiful soul. I’m so sorry to Ginny, Anita and Deb for your loss. I have so many fond memories with you all. Deb has been a beloved friend since childhood and remains my best friend today. My heart truly goes out to her. Love and prayers sent out to all of you!
Ginny, Debby, & Anita, I am so sorry to hear of your loss. Keep those precious memories close. They will carry you through the tough times.
My sincerest condolences,
Cathy Fraser (Dolores Gross DeWaters daughter)
I am so sorry to hear of Gerald’s Passing. Condolences Ginny to you and the girls. He had a wonderful life and family. God keep you in his loving arms and help you through this rough time. Lots of love your way. Alice
Ginny, Debbie, and Anita, I’m so sad about Gerald’s passing but grateful for our visit this fall. He was my first first-cousin and I’ll miss him. Hugs to you all. Gale
Ginny, Debby and Anita – so many memories…..please know you are in my thoughts and prayers. May God bless you and comfort you in the days to come.
Gerry was one of a kind, he will be sadly missed. So grateful that we visited him in July when we came to Geneseo. I will always remember that Gerry gave the blessing at our Wedding Reception in 1983. May you take comfort in knowing he touched so many lives, especially ours, and we are blessed to have known him.
Dear Ginny, Anita, and Deborah, I’m so sorry about Gerry. You have my heart felt condolence. May the lord comfort and hold you in his loving arms. I will miss Gerry.Love, Kathleen and family
My condolences to Gerry’s family. I had the pleasure in meeting and knowing Gerry when I ran Fall Brook Fruit Stand many years ago.
Sending heart felt prayers and hugs and kisses to you!! May God wrap his loving arms around you and your family and give you all give you strength to endure. Pray always and God will direct your path.
I am so very sorry for your loss. I never got the chance to meet Gerry, but he must be a great man because he raised a wonderful daughter, Deborah. Will keep you all in my thoughts.