Obituary of Gerald N. Bertram

CANISTEO: Gerald N. “Jerry” Bertram, 76, of Eleventh St. passed away peacefully on Saturday January 23, 2021 at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester, surrounded by his loving wife and children, due to complications as a result of COVID-19. Born March 2,1944 in North Hornell to the late Charles and Bernadine (Drumm) Bertram, Jerry was raised in Canisteo, with his bother Terry L. Bertram who pre-deceased him in 2019. Jerry was a graduate of Canisteo Central School in 1962. He served 27 years, from 1965 to 1992 in the US Army Reserves out of Wayland. In 1966, Jerry met his beloved wife, the former Beverly Butler, at the gas station where he was employed at the time. The two would later be married in Hornell on February 4, 1967. Jerry was employed with the Canisteo and Hornell Acme markets where he worked as a stock clerk. He was later employed with the Canisteo Central School bus garage as the Transportation Supervisor, where he retired in 2004. Jerry was a devoted member of the Canisteo Fire Department for close to 50 years. He received several Presidents Awards, and was a two-time Fireman of the Year. He also served as the Department’s Treasurer for many years. As an avid hunter, Jerry would spend many fall seasons at his family’s cabin hunting with his family and friends. He was an avid golfer and spent several winters at his Florida home with his wife. Jerry spent a lot of his years as a dedicated and helpful member of the Canisteo community. He was an active member of the Canisteo American Legion Post 846 as well as the Canisteo First United Methodist Church. He was always willing to lend a helping hand and would always make himself available for a quick conversation. A real family and working man, he always put his wife, children and granddaughters above all else. It is safe to say that Jerry was family and a friend to all that had the pleasure of knowing him. Gerald is survived by his wife of 54 years, Beverly A. Bertram (Butler), his daughter Catherine (Rich Marlatt) Baker, son Christopher (Donna) Bertram, granddaughters Kelsie (Jeffery, Jr.) Acor and Callie Baker, great granddaughter and best friend Oaklee Q. Acor, his step-grandsons Steven and Billy Jefferds, and his former son-in-law, Kenneth Baker. In addition, he is survived by his sister-in-law Janet Bertram and her son Mark (Tracy) Bertram and their children Jack, Luke, and Alex. Also surviving are several brother and sisters-in-law and their children. He was predeceased by a nephew Kurt M. Bertram in 2010. The family will receive friends from Noon-2:00 pm Thursday,January 28 at the H.P. Smith & Son, Inc. Funeral Home in Canisteo. A private family funeral will be at the convenience of the family. Burial will be in Rural Cemetery, Hornell. Memorial contributions in Jerry’s name may be made to the Canisteo Fire Co. Building Fund, 14 South Main St. Canisteo, N.Y. 14823.