Gerald B. Sanderson

Gerald B. Sanderson, 85, of the Sixteen Acres section of Springfield, passed away on Thursday, September 3, 2020 at Baystate Medical Center. Gerald was born in Springfield on August 31, 1935, the son of the late Irving and Rose (Harvey) Sanderson. He was educated in the Springfield school system, graduating from Springfield Technical High, Class of ‘53 and earned a Bachelors Degree at Western New England College 1976, retired after 35 years with the Telephone Company. His love of New England sports teams kept merchandisers in business, also his love of reading books especially James Patterson has filled his home with an impressive collection. Most of all his love for his family was everything. Gerald proudly served our country in the United States Air Force, serving 35 years with the 104th Fighter Wing in Westfield, Mass., and was a parishioner of St. Patrick’s Church in Springfield. In addition to his parents, he was also predeceased by his beloved wife of sixty one years of marriage Emma M. (Berube) Sanderson in 2019. Gerald is survived by three devoted children, Patricia Rebstock and her husband James of Cape Coral, FL, Deborah Souliere and her husband Michael of Stafford, CT, and Scott Sanderson and his wife Brenda of Westfield, MA; four cherished grandchildren, Kimberly Souliere and her fiancé Larry Bryant, Nicole Dean and her husband Mark, David Rebstock and Matthew Rebstock and his wife Jessica; six great grandchildren, Gianna, Emma, Maddox, Lexi, Logan and Larry Ellis; and he leaves three brothers William Sanderson and his wife Barbara of Groton, MA., Edward Sanderson and his wife Mary of Springfield and Kenneth Sanderson and his wife Lynn of Kernersville, NC., and two sisters Margaret Gould and Carol Petlock both of Tewksbury, MA. Gerald’s funeral will be held on Monday, September 14, 2020 at 10:30 AM from the Byron Keenan Funeral Home and Cremation Tribute Center, 1858 Allen Street, Springfield, MA, 01118, followed by a Liturgy of Christian Burial at 11:30 AM in St. Patrick’s Church, 1900 Allen Street, Springfield. Burial and military honors will follow at the Massachusetts Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery in Agawam. Calling hours will be held on Sunday from 1-3 PM at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers contributions in Gerald’s name may be directed to The Springfield Library Foundation, c/o Campaign Assistance 4th floor, 220 State Street, Springfield, MA 01103 or springfieldlibrary.org. For additional information, please visit www.byronkeenan.com