July 8th, Family, friends and all those who touched his life mourn the loss of Connor Nelson Gerard, the youngest son of Eric and Yvette Gerard, brother of Alec and Brian Gerard and their wives Lisa and Barbara, uncle of Arthur and Flynn Gerard, and beloved nephew to James, Barbara, Janet, Larry and Suzan Gerard and Christopher Vidal. Words cannot describe the pain of his sudden passing.
Connor was the epitome of kindness, love and joy. Although he was autistic, for those who were lucky enough to know him, he was much more special, than special needs. His laughter was contagious, and his smile beaming. Gone to see the Lord too soon, his 24 years on this earth were filled with joy because of the world his family created for him.
Connor was born January 21, 1998 in The Bronx, and moved with his family to Pawling in 2001. He was diagnosed with Autism just after his second birthday, and with the assistance of so many dedicated professionals at These Our Treasures, Hudson Valley Community Services and especially The Devereux Foundation for Advanced Behavioral Health, he grew into a happy, joyful, kind and well-adjusted young man. His family will be forever grateful to the dozens of teachers and specialists who worked with our Connor Boy over the years and helped him along his unique journey.
When you have a child with special challenges, you initially grieve the loss of all they will not become or experience in life. When you lose them, through your pain you celebrate all they became despite their challenges. Connor was a blessing to all our lives and will be deeply missed. He found joy in the simplest things in life, such as bouncing a ball or throwing a Frisbee, which he excelled at. Though his speech was limited, the joy and laughter he expressed anytime he was in the water was a sound we will all remember.
We take solace that he is now swimming in God’s ocean of love with his grandparents Joyce and Jim Gerard, Mary and Andy Vidal, and Eugene Koerner, his aunts and uncles Joyce O’Connor, Stephanie Vidal and Nick Regina, and his cousin Daniel Gerard
Services will be held on Saturday, July 16th, 2022 at Horn & Thomes, Inc Funeral Home at 83 East Main St., Pawling, NY 3-7 PM.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make a donation to The Devereux Foundation in Memory of Connor Gerard.
