James B. Gerard
December 6, 2016
James B. Gerard “Jim”, age 66, lifelong resident of Delano passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, December 6, 2016. He was born on May 13, 1950 in Minneapolis, Minnesota to Lester and Marie (Vander Hagen) Gerard.
Jim graduated from Delano H.S. in 1968. He went on to work in a variety of different fields, from trucking and Wright Co. Sheriff Office Reserves, to eventually becoming a Laborer in the Laborers’ Union working at FABCON where he retired in 2014.
Jim loved to help others. He always had time for farming and splitting firewood. He was always concerned for his family; making them aware if bad weather was coming. Jim liked to go on snowmobiling trips with his children and their friends. Most of all, he loved to see and spend time with his grandson Blake “B.J.”.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his children Scott and Michelle (Kevin) Sydloski; grandson Blake; companion and mother of his children Kay Gerard; sisters Jeanne (Robert) Femrite and Kathy (Marco) Harroun and many friends.
Memorial Mass of Christian Burial was held at 11 AM on Saturday, December 10, 2016 at St. Peter Catholic Church in Delano. A Gathering of family and friends was held Saturday, 10-11 AM prior to the Mass in Martha’s Hall of St. Peter Catholic Church.