DeLang, Gerard F.

Gerard F. DeLang Sr., 85, of Winter Haven, FL, longtime resident of Canton, passed away on June 20, 2013, in Winter Haven after a brief illness.

Mr. DeLang, known affectionately as “Gerry” or “Mr. D” to many, was the loving and devoted husband of Barbara M. DeLang (Adams), married for 59 years, the loving father to seven children, Gerard F. DeLang Jr. (Susan Laws) of Orlando, FL, Nancy Antonucci and her husband, William, of Mansfield, Susan White of Oakland, CA, Patricia Winberg and her husband, Paul, of Middleboro, Lori DeLang (John Coppolino) of Mansfield, and the late Robert and Ellen DeLang; 12 grandchildren: Billy and Jon Antonucci, Ryan Fitzgerald, Erica Powell (Chad), Nicholas (Natalie), Matthew (Jill), Rachel, Kendra, and Kelly White, Tommy and Mark Gilson, and Meghan DeLang; and eight great-grandchildren: Luke, Sammy, Isaiah, Ruth, Lois, and Anna Powell, Macie White and Fela White. Brother of John C. DeLang Jr. (Helen) of FL, Marie Goggin of VA, and the late Joseph DeLang (Janet), and a loving and attentive “Uncle Gerry” to numerous nieces and nephews and extended family.

Gerry was a proud veteran of WWII, serving in the U.S. Army, and was a proud graduate of Boston Latin School and Boston College. He had a wonderful 37-year career as a traffic engineer with New England Telephone. An avid baseball player and fan, he played baseball in the Army in Japan, coached Little League for years, and was Canton Little League president and commissioner for many years.

Gerry and Barbara retired in 1989 to Winter Haven, home of Red Sox spring training. Gerry and Barbara made their home in Cypresswood Golf Community for 24 years, enjoying many friends and neighbors, golf, spring training games, lunches with the curmudgeons, and delivering Meals on Wheels. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus Council #2095 in Canton, American Legion, St. John’s Parents Association, St. Vincent DePaul, and the Telephone Workers Pioneers.

Visiting hours in the Pushard Family Funeral Home, 210 Sherman Street, on Thursday, June 27, from 4-8 p.m. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend a mass of Christian burial, which will be celebrated in St. John the Evangelist Church, 700 Washington Street in Canton on Friday, June 28, at 10:30 a.m. Interment at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Canton. Donations may be made in his name to one of his favorite charities, St. Jude Children’s Hospital, PO Box 1000, Dept. 142, Memphis, TN, 38148, tribute account number 33766211.

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Posted by Canton Citizen on Jun 27 2013. Filed under Obituaries. Both comments and pings are currently closed.