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RYE, N.Y. Gerard "Gerry" T. Meehan, Sr., a former Rye Town Chamber of Commerce president, died April 21 at Connecticut Hospice in Branford, Conn. He was 86.
A retired bank executive, Meehan also served as campaign manager and president of United Way of Rye and Port Chester.
Meehan was born Sept. 5, 1925 in Yonkers, to John J. and Kathleen Canty Meehan. He was a resident of Branford, Conn. for the past seven years, previously residing in Ossining, Katonah and Carmel, N.Y.
At 16, Meehan started his career in banking as a page boy for Manufacturers Trust Company in New York City. A year later, he enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard, serving in the U.S. and South Pacific as a radioman aboard the U.S.S. Peterson during World War II.
After the war, he returned to the Manufacturers Trust and then went on to work for Country Trust Company of White Plains, now Bank of New York. Meehan had a 33-year career in banking before retiring as district vice president in 1983.
Meehan was a parishioner of St. Mary's Church in Branford and a volunteer for the church's Friendly Visitor Program in Branford Hills.
He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Helen Lucey Meehan; two sons, Rod Meehan, of Branford, and Mike (Carrie) Meehan, of Medford, N.Y.; a daughter, Barbara Meehan, of Branford; and many relatives.
A memorial Mass will be celebrated at 2 p.m. on Friday at St. Mary's Church in Branford with a reception immediately following at the parish hall.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Connecticut Hospice, 100 Double Beach Rd., Branford, Conn. 06405. Arrangements are in care of Oak Grove Cremation Service.
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