His parents, Oscar and Hattie (Ellis) Kretschmar welcomed their son into the world on November 7, 1932 in Keene, NH. He grew up in Keene and was a 1950 graduate of Keene High School where he was in various clubs and was a member of the varsity football team.
Jerry enlisted in the Army, serving during the Korean War.
He was a hard worker, providing services to many within our community. He worked as a service manager with 3M Company and later with NH Ball Bearings in Peterborough. Continuing his love for helping people, Jerry became a certified nursing assistant, working with Home Healthcare Hospice and Community Services as well as Residential Resources and Cedarcrest.
Jerry had a huge place in his heart for his family, especially his grandchildren, Vanessa, Timothy, Matthew, Jacob, Johnathan, Joshua, Kamarra, Lakala, Hannah, and Christian, as well as fourteen great-grandchildren. He enjoyed going to their sports games, going swimming, and camping in his motorhome.
He was an active volunteer and attended conferences for the Five-P Minus Society Cri du Chat Syndrome Organization.
He will be greatly missed by many, especially his wife of 41 years, Carolina J. (Willette) Kretschmar of Swanzey; his children, William Gagne of Swanzey, Jean McLendon and her husband, Matthew, of Swanzey, Rochelle Kretschmar of Swanzey; his sister-in-law, Sally Parker of Florida; and several nieces and nephews. Jerry was predeceased by four sons, Michael, Adam, Joey and Brian Kretschmar; a daughter, Marissa Kretschmar; a brother, Leon Kretschmar; and a sister, Pauline Kretschmar.
A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, July 21, 2020 at 1:00PM in the Salvation Army Citadel, 15 Roxbury Plaza, Keene. Burial with military honors will follow in the Woodland Cemetery, North Lincoln Street, Keene. Family and friends are invited to call on Tuesday at the Salvation Army Citadel from 12:30 to 1:00PM.
The family is grateful for the wonderful care that Jerry received from the VA home-based program and Hospice of Home Healthcare Hospice and Community Services.
For those who wish, in lieu of flowers, donation may be made in Mr. Kretschmar’s memory to Five-P Minus Society, Cri du Chat Syndrome, PO Box 268, Lakewood, CA 90714-0268.
