So sorry for your loss. May his memory be a blessing to you Pat and the girls as well as to those who knew him. RIP

My deepest sympathy for you Pat and your family.

I remember my high school shop teacher said, “Your Dad really taught you well.  I’ve never had girls know so much about tools.” Although it’s not politically correct these days, he was right!  You taught us well!  We’re not just girls . . .we’re LYDY girls!!

You taught us how to change a tire, which saved me in Detroit when I got a flat while driving!  I was in a dress, and it was about to get dark . . . Your lesson of making us learn to change the oil and rotate our tires before we could drive our car, really came in handy!  I changed that tire in a dress, on a four-lane highway before it got dark and was on my way.  Thank you, Dad, for teaching us well!

I remember how we named our first car Bunny, and you’d make sure you gave us gas money when we needed it.  You “patiently” (not really) taught us to drive a stick shift . . . on a hill.  Yikes!  It was very scary!  But you taught us well!

I love how you taught me to use tools to make things.  I learned how to make hockey stick furniture, hockey helmet and skate lamps, and fix things because of you. I love “tinkering” at my workbench because of you.  I wish we could have done that when we move to Fort Wayne! 

Sometimes, I wonder if you fought so hard when you were in pain, just for Mom, Paula and me .  That would be something you did – work hard and suffer in silence.

We hated watching you in pain.  We hated what cancer did to your body.  But in the end, you taught us how to not give up.  When it was time, you just said you were ready to stop fighting.  I will always remember you and Mom giving your all for us!  From heaven, can I ask you to please make sure Mom continues to be in remission!!  

Part Four.....continued on next post!

All the projects we worked on together will always be my fondest and best memories!  I became an architect because of you!  From the rentals that we fixed up “together”, to the huge renovation of our childhood home, I started out as a “gopher” and cleaner.  I learned how to anticipate what tool you would need, and I got to learn by watching you.  You really could fix anything and solve any problem that came up.  I love that about you!  You’re a problem solver!  
Remember my basement ceiling project?  Your knees hurt so badly, but you trudged up and down the steps to help me finish.  Together, we solved the problem of hanging a “removeable wood ceiling” which looks great!  We should patent that ceiling!
Remember how you solved the problem of Mom leaving the iron on when we were little?  Two Sundays in a row, we would be sitting in church and Mom would say, “I think I left the iron on”. . .  and you would have to go back and unplug the iron.  So, you solved the problem 50+ years ago by inventing an iron on a timer.  It was brilliant and simple, and we should have patented it because you deserved to get credit for inventing what is so commonplace now!  That’s you Dad, just getting it done by solving a problem.  


I remember how you taught me how to back a trailer, but only because you had to . . .  You broke your right leg a few weeks before the big Johnny Appleseed corn booth week where you were the kingpin of all the volunteers.  Someone had to pick up the hay and all the supplies …. You didn’t want to teach us anything that had the possibility of us getting hurt.  But I learned how ,and we did it with you sitting in the front passenger seat trying not to lose it!   (sorry, but you weren’t a good passenger that day)

Part Three.....continued on next post!

My dear sweet Dad!  If you can read this from heaven . . . 

My heart is broken, cause you’re not here with us.  Saying you left a huge hole in our lives that we don’t know how to fill seems so obvious, it’s silly to say, but it’s true!  I feel selfish wishing you were still here when you suffered so much and were in so much pain!  So, I want to say I’m grateful. . . .

Grateful for the blessing of having you as a Dad!  Grateful for all you’ve given me!  

Did I thank you enough for teaching me to be organized, to always be on time (5 minutes early is on time!), to teach me to be curious, to be capable of fixing things on my own, and to not be afraid to try something new.   

So even though it’s hard because I miss you so much, I am so very grateful!!!

Cancer taught us about priorities, about what our family can do to support each other.  Battling Stage 4 Cancer with both you and Mom, taught us about what we would do for each other.  You and Mom make me so proud to see how hard you both battled together!  Wow, the fight you had and what you went through is staggering! How did I deserve to have such amazing parents?  

Some of my favorite memories are of being at the Arcola Tractor Pull.  Whether it was working the popcorn booth, or watching from the front row, I will treasure the time we got to spend together!  Those were “your people”.  Like you, they enjoyed being outdoors, enjoying an evening of whole hog sandwiches and elephant ears.  They are hardworking people just like you.

Part Two.....continued on next post!

To Pat and the entire family, my deepest sympathy.  So sorry for your loss.

Deepest condolences from the Marvin famiy to all the Lydy family on the loss of Gerry. We heard wonderful stories through the years from Pam about what a terrific father and gentleman he was and wish we had known him personally.  We are proud to make a memorial donation in Gerry’s name to  Honor Flight.  May it bring some comfort. 
COL (Ret) Bill and Patty Marvin
Uncle and Aunt of Steve & Pam Lydy Schultz

Mrs. Lydy I'm so sorry for the loss of Gerry.  You both were always so kind and gracious to me during my time at Pine Valley Country Club.  I think of you often and had learned about Gerry's passing from a friend.  I am now living in Carmel and cannot get away to attend visitation, but please know that I am thinking of you and your family and you have my sincere condolences.  
Diana Amstutz

Pat: 
Our sincere sympathy to your family from ours.  It is the toughest thing to watch your loved one fighting the battle to stay alive - You know Gerry is in a much better place and no pain. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and the girls.
Love,  Gwen and Paul Clay and family

I never had the pleasure of meeting this remarkable man but feel like I know him from the stories I enjoyed that Paula and Scott would tell. I always wished I could go down for the corn festival!! 
I know it’s been a difficult few years with his illness, but I truly believe in my heart if love and devotion could have saved him he would live forever..  My deepest condolences and love to everyone ❤️”Biema”

Dear Pat & family,
We are so sorry for your loss of Gerry. May he rest in peace. May fond memories help you all through these sad, difficult days.
Love & prayers
Margaret & Tom Lapsley

Such a kind kind man!! So sorry for your loss Pat and family,  Jerry and I have such fond memories of both of you.  We are thinking of you and wishing you many fond memories at this time of need. Many prayers !

This is the only picture I have of Gerry but shows his personality, and how much fun he was to be around! Always had a great story to tell! He loved his wife and children and grandchildren with a passion. He will be missed by all.♥️

So sorry to hear of Gerry’s passing.  I only met him once when I drove him to Ohio for treatment.  We hit it off from the start and talked most of the way there. He talked about his kids and grandkids mostly, about how proud he was of every one of them and how lucky he was to have such a great family.  But he wasn’t a  conversation hog, he asked questions about me and my family and was sincerely interested.  This ease of conversation with us had a down side, tho, as were talking so much, we missed our exit and spent an extra 45 minutes backtracking to get home!  I felt so bad as it was late and I’m sure he was wore out but he was so gracious about it and we actually had a good laugh about it.  I m sorry I was only able to enjoy his company that one time.

This is a wonderful, loving, compassionate man who led by example
and foremost what a truly dedicated father and friend. He will be truly missed by all and may the Lord Bless this family.

So sorry to hear of Uncle Gerry’s passing. I always enjoyed visiting with him in Fort Wayne and hearing his stories from the Navy and Magnavox and Kevin’s childhood. He was always so warm and kind to me and I will miss him and his joyful laugh.

Family was always a priority for Dad Lydy.  Here we are in Chicago over Christmas.

If you went outside last night, you might have said to yourself, "is there an extra star in the evening sky tonight?"  

Well, there was.  Magnavox retiree, Gerry Lydy, went to be with his Angles yesterday.  His passion to help anyone at any time, and his warmth and love for friends, family, and neighbors will be missed by all that knew him.

I still remember quite vividly seated in your parent’s kitchen with your Mom as she shared the story of your high school nickname. Leroy Loverboy Lydy. You had that huge grin on your face and your Mom with her wonderful laugh.

It will always be a great honor in my life to know you. Although you appear as a soft spoken quiet person, to know you is to experience the best example I have ever encountered of a honorable life well 
lived.

You are a man who loves his family fiercely. You are a hard worker who was counted on by so many to complete the task set before you. Your love for God and family showed the world how a good man lives his life honestly and with dignity. Gerry you spent countless hours helping others with no expectation of reward other than knowing it was the right thing to do. When it was GO time you could be counted on.

A man of many talents, You could do anything you put your mind to. As you made your way through the clammer of this world you rarely lost your focus. You made time for family, friends, neighbors and were always willing to lend a helping hand. Your Nephew Jeremy recounts the time you offered to teach him how to back up a trailer. Jeremy said, “ I still remember clearly Uncle Gerrys face a he laughed heartily while I struggled to learn the skill. To this day, I am very good at backing a trailer because Uncle Gerry 
took the time to show me how.”

There is no doubt in my mind when I say that my life is better for having known you Gerry. I will always remember you with a fondness that I reserve for only the best. I am proud to count you as my friend. I will not say goodbye but rather I will say until we meet again my friend.

Love, David Haidle

OBITUARY

Gerry Leroy Lydy

April 20, 1942 – August 19, 2023

D.O. McComb & Sons Funeral Homes - Pine Valley

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