Gerald Robert Seely; Husband, Father, Business Owner, WWII Veteran, Blue Jay, Wolfpack, and lifelong New Orleanian died Tuesday, May 14, 2013 at the fabulous age of 90. Jerry sauntered through life, somehow weaving a peaceful existence through some of our country’s most event-filled times, all the while carrying a story on his lips and an extended hand to those around him.
Jerry was born on February 12, 1923; beginning his romance with New Orleans, the city he would call home until August of 2005 when Hurricane Katrina escorted him, along with the rest of New Orleans, to drier land. In 1940, Jerry became a Blue Jay for life, graduating from storied Jesuit High School. Four years later, Jerry earned his Bachelor of Science from Loyola University in New Orleans. Shortly after graduation, he began a tour with the Army’s 1905th Service Command Unit where he served as a Medical Lab Technician until his separation in 1946.
Jerry enjoyed his friendly competition too. He was an avid golfer. Many golfers don’t leave this world with a hole-in-one to their credit. Jerry did. As a member of the Audubon Golf Club, he teed it up for years competing with friends, celebrities such as Fred McMurray, Johnny Bench, and Archie Manning, and perhaps his greatest competition, his wife Terry! Jerry also enjoyed tennis and racquetball. And as a true-blue New Orleanian, Jerry bled black and gold as a season ticket holder in both Tulane Stadium and the Superdome.
Jerry became a local business owner in the 1960s, opening The Bakery on Franklin Avenue in Gentilly. The Bakery was very popular with local residents, police and firefighters, and the many others who would take the ride to eat a fresh po-boy and sit for a while with Jerry…just to talk. Jerry graced The Bakery right up until he would concede to the destructive power of Katrina in 2005.
Jerry was married to Thayer (Terry) Gournay Seely on May 29, 1959. He is survived today by the two lovely daughters Jerry and Terry raised together, Stephanie Ann Seely, 52, and Renee Cathlyn Seely, 49.
Monday, May 20, 2013, We will have visitation from 12:30 and a Rosary will begin at 1:00; followed by services at 2:00 at Ardoin’s Funeral Home, in Eunice, LA.
Saturday, May 25, 2013, We will have visitation 11:30 -1:00 followed by a mass at Jesuit High school in the Holy Name of Jesus Chapel on Banks St. in New Orleans, LA
Published in The Times-Picayune from May 17 to May 19, 2013
