In Memoriam: Jerry Rague, 81, Air Force Pilot and Longtime Resident

William Jerry Rague, 81, went to be with the Lord on April 11, 2013. He passed away at Indian River Medical Center in Vero Beach, FL.

He was born in New York City on July 22, 1931 and grew up in Staten Island, NY and Copenhagen, Denmark. Jerry graduated from The Taft School and Yale University. He served as a pilot in the United States Air Force. Jerry married Beverly Ann Bates on October 29, 1955 in Norwalk, CT. Jerry and Bev were longtime residents of Bethel, CT. He enjoyed a long career in Banking, serving as Executive Vice President of the Westport Bank and Trust Company in Westport, CT. He served his community through the Westport Kiwanis Club. After retirement in 1992, Jerry and Bev relocated to Vero Beach, FL. They moved to Fort Pierce, FL in 2004. He enjoyed working at the Spanish Lakes Fairways Clubhouse for seven years, and his membership in the Treasure Coast Coin Club.

Jerry was known to all as a humble and friendly gentleman who was always ready with kind words of encouragement and a helping hand. He was predeceased by his son Jody, his parents, Commander William J. Rague Jr. (USN) and Kathleen Maloy, and his sister Nancy Ward. Jerry is survived by his wife Beverly of 57 years, daughters, Laurie Basso and Holly Larson, his Son Jay Rague and his wife Bonnie Banzhaf Rague, nine grandchildren, Ashley Basso, Joshua Basso, Hayley Basso, Lindsey Keenan, Kristen Larson, Michael Larson, Nicholas Soltysik, Kelsey Rague, and Nathan Rague, two great grandchildren, Cierra McBride and Brayden Boehl. He is lovingly remembered by Phillip Basso, Steven Soltysik, Thomas Boehl, Shawn McBride and Mary Catherine Lyons.

Contributions in memory of Jerry may be made to The VNA Hospice Foundation, 1110 35th Lane, Vero Beach, FL 32960, or The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, 3411 NW 9th Avenue, Suite 701, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33309. A Memorial service will be held at 11:00 am on Wednesday, April 17, 2013 at the Spanish Lakes Fairways Clubhouse, 6200 Nuevo Lagos Street, Fort Pierce, FL 34951. Arrangements are under the direction of Cox Gifford Seawinds Funeral Home and Crematory in Vero Beach, FL. Online condolences may be sent at www.coxgiffordseawinds.com.

Obituary courtesy of Seawinds Funeral Home.