Gerald "Gerry" Bruce Hoagland, 79, most recently of Palmetto FL, but for the better part of his lifetime a resident of Cary NC, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, October 28, 2022.
Born in Binghamton, NY to the late Harrison Abram and Marie (Pethick) Hoagland, Gerry served in the United States Army during the early 1960s in New York before being deployed to Naples, Italy where he was a Communications Specialist. After an honorable discharge from the Army, Gerry was accepted to IBM School in Endicott, NY. Following his father who also worked for IBM, Gerry relocated to the Research Triangle Park campus where he worked as an Engineer and Manager in IBM’s manufacturing division, giving over 33 years to IBM until retiring in 1998. It was there at work that he met his one and only true love, Julia Elizabeth Knapp. They were married in July 1967.
Gerry was preceded by his wife of over 52 years, Julia in 2019. He was also preceded by his youngest son, Eric Dale in 2007. He was preceded by his two brothers Douglas and Philip. Gerry is survived by his son Michael (David) of Palmetto FL, his only sister Lynne Secrest of Cary, NC and his only granddaughter, Caitlin Hoagland of Clayton, NC. Gerry is also survived by his sister-in-law, Donna (David) Meckstroth of Winter Springs FL, and many nephews and nieces.
After retiring from IBM, Gerry went back into the workforce for almost 20 more years with Enterprise as a "retirement job." Gerry enjoyed many outdoor activities throughout his life, from boating and camping with his wife and sons in the 70s & 80s to buying his first of four custom Honda Gold Wing motorcycles with his wife, Julie, in the co-pilot seat in the late 80s & 90s, and joining a Honda Gold Wing riders club where they met many life-long friends and came close to their goal of visiting every Court House in the capital city of every state in the continental US. After losing several Gold Wing club members to the dangers of motorcycling, Gerry and Julie left motorcycling behind to become motorhome owners and traveled with their granddaughter, Caitlin, up and down the East Coast of the United States. Boating was always Gerry’s all-time favorite hobby. Having several boats during his lifetime, his custom-made 2010 25-foot South Bay pontoon boat was by far his favorite.
He enjoyed just about every other Summer weekend on the waters of Kerr Lake, NC with his wife and granddaughter. Those were some of the fondest memories he shared with his family and friends. In 2021, Gerry decided to move to Florida to be close to his son Michael (David).
A Celebration of Life graveside service will be held later to be determined in the spring of 2023 at Raleigh Memorial Park in Raleigh, NC. Memorial donations in Gerry’s honor may be made to The Wounded Warrior Project.
Brown & Sons Funeral Homes & Crematory, 26th Street Chapel, 5624 26th Street West, Bradenton, FL 34207 is in charge of the arrangements.
Condolences may be made to: www.brownandsonsfuneral.com
