Saturday, March 30, 2019
My wife Jackie and I have know Gerald for over 50 years. My wife went to the one room school (grades 1 to 8) at Thorpe, west of Wilton with Gerald, but he was in the senior grades. Jackie also rode her 125cc Yamaha motorcycle along Simmons Road with Gerald while he rode his "Choice Hog Harley Davidson". I worked with Gerald at Foster Beazanson & Son, Sand & Gravel. There I learned what a remarkable mind this man had. He not only fixed things ,he understood the mechanics of why they broke. Jimmy Neil and I had a great privilege once to see Gerald's Stage Coach he made completely out of wooden matches. It stood about 8" high and 14" long ,also the metal 1865 era cannon that actually shot ball bearings with the use of gun powder into a box of Shredded Wheat Cereal so Gerald could retrieve his cannon ball. Gerald worked for Bell Telephone for a while and when he was on a course with Bell, he found a mistake in the course material which he respectfully pointed out to his instructor. Gerald for those of us who knew you, you will be missed. Our Deepest Sympathy to Gerald's Family Members...Sincerely Yours Jackie & Byron Benest
