Obituary for Gerald Edwin Wade
Gerald Edwin Wade, 82, of Kenosha, WI passed away peacefully on Friday, December 4, 2020, at The Citadel of Skokie, IL.
Born in Kenosha, WI on June 19, 1938, he was the son of the late Phillip and Laura (Aker) Wade. He was educated in local schools, upon his graduation in 1956 from Kenosha High School he attended Northern Michigan University in Marquette Michigan. On October 3, 1959, he married his wife of 61 years, Elizabeth A. Covelli at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church in Kenosha.
Gerry was an excellent athlete who excelled playing football for Mary D. Bradford High School, Northern Michigan University, and Semi-Professionally with the Racine Raiders. Gerry loved to golf and fish with his friends and family. Gerry and Beth spent the last 25 winters golfing together with family and friends at their home in Bonita Springs Florida. During his years playing golf he recorded 4 Holes in One and enjoyed playing in local and National Pro-Am tournaments including the GMO and Tucson Open. In 1999, Gerry retired from Daimler Chrysler after a 40 year career in Human Resources and Labor Relations. One of the highlights of his career was to be able to work on labor contracts that were fair and agreeable to both the Company but also benefited lifelong friends of his that worked in the plants and offices.
Gerry was heavily involved with coaching Youth Athletics when his sons were young, coaching Optimist Little League Baseball and CYC Football for almost 15 years. He was also very active in the local community, volunteering with The Junior Achievement Program as a business mentor and assisting in the initial years of The Special Olympic Program here in Kenosha. Gerry also sat on several local boards helping to guide The CYC, The Kenosha Achievement Center, The United Way, St. Joseph’s Athletic Association, ultimately serving as The Chairman of the Kenosha Chamber of Commerce. Gerry loved his wife Beth and his family unconditionally to whom he was known as a “gentle giant”, as he always put family and friends first, and was helpful to all. Gerry took great pride in his sons and grandchildren, attending as many of their sporting activities and school events as he could over the past 50 years.
Survivors include his wife of 61 years, Beth; four sons, Phillip (Robin) Wade, Gary (Mary) Wade (Woodbury MN), Michael (Susan) Wade, and Christopher Wade; six grandchildren, Anne (William) Brummond, Nicholas (Sara) Wade, Madalyn (Kyle) Hunt, Drew (Kelsey) Wade, Zachary (Jenny) Wade, Kyle Wade; five great-grandchildren, Elijah, Laney, Cole, Reid and Willow Grace; and two sisters, Beverly (Jerry) Luedeke and Noreen (Gary) Jeffson. He is further survived by many loving nieces, nephews, and other relatives, and friends.
Gerry was preceded in death by his parents, Phillip and Laura Wade and his In-Laws Louis and Julia Covelli.
Due to the current health pandemic, a memorial mass and celebration of Gerry’s life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers the family has requested that memorial donations please be made to The Boys and Girls Club of Kenosha or The Shalom Center of Kenosha.
Proko Funeral Home & Crematory
5111-60th Street Kenosha, WI 53144
Phone: (262) 654-3533
Visit & Sign Gerald’s Online Memorial Book at:
www.prokofuneralhome.com
Born in Kenosha, WI on June 19, 1938, he was the son of the late Phillip and Laura (Aker) Wade. He was educated in local schools, upon his graduation in 1956 from Kenosha High School he attended Northern Michigan University in Marquette Michigan. On October 3, 1959, he married his wife of 61 years, Elizabeth A. Covelli at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church in Kenosha.
Gerry was an excellent athlete who excelled playing football for Mary D. Bradford High School, Northern Michigan University, and Semi-Professionally with the Racine Raiders. Gerry loved to golf and fish with his friends and family. Gerry and Beth spent the last 25 winters golfing together with family and friends at their home in Bonita Springs Florida. During his years playing golf he recorded 4 Holes in One and enjoyed playing in local and National Pro-Am tournaments including the GMO and Tucson Open. In 1999, Gerry retired from Daimler Chrysler after a 40 year career in Human Resources and Labor Relations. One of the highlights of his career was to be able to work on labor contracts that were fair and agreeable to both the Company but also benefited lifelong friends of his that worked in the plants and offices.
Gerry was heavily involved with coaching Youth Athletics when his sons were young, coaching Optimist Little League Baseball and CYC Football for almost 15 years. He was also very active in the local community, volunteering with The Junior Achievement Program as a business mentor and assisting in the initial years of The Special Olympic Program here in Kenosha. Gerry also sat on several local boards helping to guide The CYC, The Kenosha Achievement Center, The United Way, St. Joseph’s Athletic Association, ultimately serving as The Chairman of the Kenosha Chamber of Commerce. Gerry loved his wife Beth and his family unconditionally to whom he was known as a “gentle giant”, as he always put family and friends first, and was helpful to all. Gerry took great pride in his sons and grandchildren, attending as many of their sporting activities and school events as he could over the past 50 years.
Survivors include his wife of 61 years, Beth; four sons, Phillip (Robin) Wade, Gary (Mary) Wade (Woodbury MN), Michael (Susan) Wade, and Christopher Wade; six grandchildren, Anne (William) Brummond, Nicholas (Sara) Wade, Madalyn (Kyle) Hunt, Drew (Kelsey) Wade, Zachary (Jenny) Wade, Kyle Wade; five great-grandchildren, Elijah, Laney, Cole, Reid and Willow Grace; and two sisters, Beverly (Jerry) Luedeke and Noreen (Gary) Jeffson. He is further survived by many loving nieces, nephews, and other relatives, and friends.
Gerry was preceded in death by his parents, Phillip and Laura Wade and his In-Laws Louis and Julia Covelli.
Due to the current health pandemic, a memorial mass and celebration of Gerry’s life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers the family has requested that memorial donations please be made to The Boys and Girls Club of Kenosha or The Shalom Center of Kenosha.
Proko Funeral Home & Crematory
5111-60th Street Kenosha, WI 53144
Phone: (262) 654-3533
Visit & Sign Gerald’s Online Memorial Book at:
www.prokofuneralhome.com