Biography

Southbridge: Gerald M. Earls, 88, of 233 Dresser St., died Wednesday, Aug. 1st. in his home after an illness.
He leaves his wife of 62 years, Constance (LaForce) Earls; four sons, James F. Earls and his wife Paulina Borrego of Northfield, John F. Earls and his wife Christine of Cummington, Richard T. Earls and his wife, Christine of Monroe, CT, and Garrett M. Earls and his wife Jennifer of Williamstown, VT; two daughters, Barbara M. Day and her husband, Larry of Southbridge and Monica M. Earls of Orleans; 11 grandchildren, Michael, Susan, Jeremy, Katherine, Matthew, William, Julie, Averill, Brennan, Kyle & John; 2 great grandchildren, Teresa and Keira; and nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by three brothers, Martin J. Earls, Dr. Francis X. Earls and James F. Earls. He was born in Southbridge, the son of James F. and Gertrude C. (Murphy) Earls. He was a 1936 graduate of St. Mary's High School in Southbridge, a 1940 graduate of Holy Cross College in Worcester receiving a degree in Accounting, and a US Army Veteran of World War II.
Gerald was the Assistant Treasurer and Vice President of Taxes for the American Optical Co., in Southbridge, employed there for over 30 years, retiring in 1982. He was a former member and chairman of the Southbridge School Committee; a former member of the Worcester Diocese Catholic Charities Board of Directors; a Harrington Memorial Hospital Trustee; a member of the Worcester Food Bank Board of Directors; he was the chairman of the Worcester Diocese Bishops Fund in 1990; a member of the Southbridge Catholic Charities Advisory Board; a member of the former St. Mary's School Committee; a member of the Knights of Columbus, deTriana Council 199 in Southbridge; a member of the Holy Cross College President's Council, a Holy Cross Class Agent and a recipient of the In Hoc Signo award from Holy Cross. He was a life long member of St. Mary's Parish in Southbridge and served as a Lector, Eucharistic Minister and a past member and president of its Parish council. He was an avid golfer and long time member of Cohasse Country Club in Southbridge. He was a regular contributor to many missions and charities.
His funeral will be held on Saturday, Aug. 4th, from the Daniel T. Morrill Funeral Home, 130 Hamilton St., Southbridge, with a Mass at 12:00pm in St. Mary's Church, 263 Hamilton St., Southbridge. Burial will be in St. Mary's Cemetery, Southbridge. Calling hours in the funeral home will be held on Friday, August 3rd from 4:00 to 7:00pm.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Maryknoll Fathers, PO Box 302, Maryknoll, NY 10545, Catholic Charities, Diocese of Worcester, 10 Hammond St, Worcester, MA 01610 or to the Overlook Hospice, 88 Masonic Home Rd., Charlton, MA 01507.

Mass

Saturday August 4, 2007, 12:00pm at St. Mary's Church
Click for Map and Directions

Calling Hours

Friday August 3, 2007, 4:00 - 7:00pm at Daniel T. Morrill Funeral Home
Click for Map and Directions

Burial

Saturday August 4, 2007 at St. Mary's Cemetery
Click for Map and Directions