Gerard A. Burchell, Jr.

Strafford - Gerard A. Burchell, Jr. 81, of Strafford, NH, passed away peacefully at home on October 3, 2010. Born in Brooklyn, NY, on December 22, 1928, he was the son of Gerard A. and Gretchen (Latimer) Burchell, Sr. After spending his childhood in Garden City, NY, Jerry graduated from The Choate School in Wallingford, CT, Washington and Lee University in Lexington, VA in 1950, and earned his Master's degree from the University of Maine at Gorham in 1976. He married Verna Virginia Varley on December 3, 1949 in Lexington, VA, and together they raised two sons and one daughter, first residing in New York and later moving to Rochester, NH in 1965. Jerry was employed in various business capacities while living in New York and later in NH, but in 1969 he found his true life's calling; teaching. Jerry was passionate about education and began his career at Rochester Junior High School. He later moved on to Kingswood Regional High School in Wolfeboro, NH and retired from Spaulding High School in Rochester NH. Jerry always enjoyed running into former students around town and learning what was going on in their lives. He and his wife Verna owned and operated Burch Farm on Whitehall road in Rochester for many years, selling a wide variety of apples, peaches, berries, grapes, and vegetables from their home and at area stores and farmers' markets, always ready to offer tips on how to make the best apple pie. He was a member of The First United Methodist Church, Rochester, and held memberships in numerous teaching organizations. He was deeply concerned about the environment and was a true conservationist. Jerry loved his family, teaching, and working in his orchard and his garden. He had a quick wit and a great sense of humor and was always ready with a joke or a pun. He was predeceased by a brother, Rev. Robert L. Burchell. He is survived by his loving wife of almost 61 years, Verna, of Strafford, sons Tim Burchell of Malden, MA, Jim Burchell and his wife Roxanne Friedenfels of Madison, NJ and daughter Judy Brownell and her husband Skip of Strafford, NH with whom he had resided for the past 9 years. Also surviving are 10 grandchildren, Katherine and Evan Burchell, Robin, Jesse, and Brandon Friebur, Jessa Schaaff, Jake, Emily, Alex, and Larry Brownell, several great-grandchildren and his sister-in-law Dolly Varley of Washington, CT. The family would like to express their gratitude to the wonderful people from Living Innovations, The Homemakers Health Services and Seacoast Hospice for taking such good care of Jerry. A Celebration of Life service will be held on October 16, 2010 at 11:00 at The First United Methodist Church, 34 South Main Street, Rochester, NH. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial donations be made to The First United Methodist Church Missions Fund, 34 South Main Street, Rochester, NH. Arrangements are under the direction of the R.M. Edgerly and Son Funeral Home 86 S. Main St Rochester, NH. To sign an online guestbook please visit www.edgerlyfh.com