Obituary of Gerald C. Happ

Gerald (Jerry) Collins Happ, 73, passed away on Sunday, October 20th, 2013 due to complications from recent surgeries and Parkinson’s disease. He was last in the care of his family and Hospice at Morristown Medical Center. The family is grateful for all those who helped at this time of need. Jerry was born to Catherine (Coty) Jans and John Bernard Happ in Evanston, IL on January 7, 1940. On September 17, 1988 he married his wife Geraldine A. Garris (also named Jerry) in Bernardsville, NJ, where they made their home. The two are often affectionately referred to as Mr. Jerry and Mrs. Jerry. Jerry was preceded in death by his mother, father and older brother, Jack. He is survived by his loving wife, Jerry; sister-in-law Penny Garris of Mahopac, NY; and his three children. Bryan Happ and his wife Michelle reside in Bristol, CT with Bryan’s sons Christopher (22) and Wesley (20) nearby. Catherine Witter, her husband Scott and their two children Hana (14) and Kaili (11) live in Austin, TX. Christine Happ Olson lives with her husband Tim and two children Dean (11) and Lena (6) in Dubuque, IA. Jerry and his unusual sense of humor will be missed by many loving, supportive friends. He also left behind a well-loved and well-fed black cat named Outie. Jerry received his Bachelor’s degree from Northwestern University and went on to obtain his Executive MBA from the University of Chicago. Jerry was trained as an electrical engineer and spent much of his adult life in management at AT&T, both nationally and internationally. He helped plan and implement the Midwest divestiture in the early 1980s and later negotiated fiber-optic cable placement in Asia, Australia, and Europe. Jerry enjoyed all kinds of work—always managing projects and solving problems. The North Shore Railroad ran adjacent to his childhood Evanston home where he developed an affinity for all kinds of trains that lasted throughout his life. Jerry also loved animals and was known to feed wild animals that would come close to his home. He had a deep affection for the Midwest and Wisconsin’s north woods. In retirement, he enjoyed golfing and looked forward to his bi-weekly breakfast with the Young Boys Club, a friends group he helped found. Jerry’s front lawn was the envy of the neighborhood. He was born and raised in the Catholic Church, serving as an altar boy as a youth and later as a lector, CCD instructor and Eucharistic minister. His faith defined many facets of his life. Online condolences may be left at baileyfuneralhomes.com. A wake will be held from 4 to 7 pm on Tuesday Oct. @2, 1013 at Bailey Funeral Home 8 Hilltop Rd., Mendham. The funeral mass will be celebrated on Wednesday at 10:30am at St. Joseph’s Church in Mendham, with entombment following at Holy Cross Cemetery in Basking Ridge. In lieu of flowers, the family asks the consideration of a contribution to the Bernardsville First Aid Squad or St. Hubert’s Animal Shelter in Madison.