SARATOGA SPRINGS — Lural Girard (Gerry) Garrelts died peacefully on Monday, August 25 at the Fort Hudson Nursing Home in Fort Edward, surrounded by family.
Gerry was born on January 30, 1935 in McPherson, Kansas to the late Lauretta Maurice Mulshine Garrelts (1968) and Lural Hollis (Pat) Garrelts (1980). Gerry was married on August 21, 1955 at the Holy Name Church in Tupper Lake to his high school sweetheart, Rita Ellen Sarazen. They recently celebrated their 59th anniversary. Gerry and Rita were blessed to have seven children.
Gerry worked many years for Foxboro Industries in Foxboro, Massachusetts, and Saratoga Springs, until his retirement in 1998.
Gerry was an active member of the Lions Club of Saratoga Springs and The Friendly Sons of St. Patrick for many years. Gerry was devoted to his community and charitable works. He delivered Meals on Wheels and volunteered as a bell ringer for The Salvation Army.
In addition to his parents, Gerry was predeceased by an infant daughter, Janlynn Clara Garrelts, in August 1958 and his brother, Richard Arthur Garrelts, on August 4.
Survivors include his wife, Rita Ellen Sarazen Garrelts, and six children, Michael Lural Garrelts of Buffalo, Girard Lynn Garrelts (Debby) and Richard David Garrelts all of Saratoga Springs, Robert Leo Garrelts (Jeff Freebern) of Gansevoort, Douglas Shawn Garrelts (Tania) of Raleigh, North Carolina, and Laurie Ellen Garrelts Russo (Joe) of Wake Forest, North Carolina; seven grandchildren, Kyle Lural Garrelts and Elyse Marie Garrelts of Saratoga Springs; George Wilms Garrelts and Amelia Louisa Garrelts of Raleigh, North Carolina; Nicholas Leo Russo, Greyson Joseph Russo and Maxwell Garrelts Russo of Wake Forest, North Carolna. Survivors also include two brothers, Norman Garrelts (Shirley) of Ogdensburg and Denis Garrelts (Mickey) of Burke, Virginia; sister-in-law Irene (Tuni) Sarazen Root of Henrietta; brothers-in-law, Richard Sarazen (June) of Simpsonville, South Carolina and Leo Sarazen (Elaine) of Piercefield.
Relatives and friends may call from 4-7 p.m. Thursday, August 28 at the William J. Burke & Sons/Bussing & Cunniff Funeral Homes, 628 North Broadway, Saratoga Springs. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Friday, August 29 at St. Clement’s Church, 231 Lake Ave.
Burial will be in the family plot at St. Alphonsus Cemetery in Tupper Lake,.
Those wishing to make memorial contributions are asked to consider the Lions Eye Institute of Albany, 1220 New Scotland Rd., Slingerlands, NY 12159 or the Alzheimer’s Association, Northeastern New York Adirondack Region, PO Box 4091, Queensbury, NY 12804.
Online remembrances may be made at www.burkefuneralhome.com.
