Gerald E. Scholz

Gerald Edward Scholz, a beloved husband, father and grandfather who lived in Hauppauge and Bethpage for many years, died May 19 after a short illness. He was 83.

The family takes great comfort in knowing he is joining, Linda, the love of his life and wife of nearly 59 years, who died in September.

Born on April 22, 1940, in Brooklyn to Albert and Geraldine (Foote) Scholz, Gerald attended school in East New York. He joined the U.S. Army in 1959 and was stationed at Fort Benning, Georgia. One of his favorite memories from that time was serving on a mortar team and meeting President John F. Kennedy after participating in a general combat capabilities demonstration.

Gerald left the military in 1961 and returned to New York, starting a job as a driver for UPS, where he would work his way up to manager at the busy Melville processing facility. He retired in 1995.

One day while visiting his parents in Bethpage, Gerald met Linda, who lived across the street. They married In 1963 and eventually settled in that same Bethpage house where they raised two children, Jerrold and Krista.

After Gerald’s retirement, the mild winters of Florida lured them to Atlantis, and they split their time between New York and West Palm Beach beginning in 2001. The couple moved from Bethpage to Hauppauge to be closer to their grandchildren, James and Katelyn, in 2010.

Gerald loved to golf, was a dedicated Catholic, enjoyed frequent family card gatherings and taking the kids fishing near the Meadowbrook and Wantagh bridges.

He was kind, funny, an epic storyteller, role model to many and one of the most welcoming people around. His daily routine often took him to Maureen’s Kitchen and Margaritas Cafe near his house and the family appreciates the camaraderie he felt there.

If you knew him, and it seemed like everyone did, you were lucky. His family and those who loved him feel his absence deeply.

His parents and brothers, Albert and Matthew, predeceased him. In addition to his children and grandchildren, Gerald is survived by many nieces and nephews. He was particularly close with his sister-in-law Holly Cottone, her husband, Andrew, and their daughter Melissa.

A wake will be held from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. Monday, May 22, at Moloney’s Funeral Home, 840 Wheeler Road (Route 111), in Hauppauge. A memorial will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday, May 23, at Moloney, followed by a short service at St. Charles Cemetery, 2015 Wellwood, in Farmingdale.