November 4, 2012

CLAYTON, N.Y.  —  Gerald J. J. Wetterhahn, 85, of 14993 Heritage Dr., died Saturday, Nov. 3, at Samaritan Medical Center, Watertown.

Born March 15, 1927, in Clayton, the son of Norris and Myrtle Aubertine Wetterhahn, he was a graduate of Clayton Central School in 1942. He also received a diploma from Rochester Business Institute, did undergraduate work at Clarkson University, and received a Bachelor and Master's degree from St. Lawrence University. He completed additional graduate studies at Potsdam State, St. Lawrence University and Syracuse University.

He married Norma McKeever on July 8, 1950, at St. Vincent dePaul Church in Rosiere. Mrs. Wetterhahn passed away April 27, 2012.

Mr. Wetterhahn was a business teacher and coach for 15 years at Cape Vincent Central School. He was also a Professor in the Business Division of Jefferson Community College for 26 years, retiring in a full time capacity in 1984. He later taught part-time office and clerical courses in the Continuing Education Division at JCC. Professor Wetterhahan was formerly chairman of the Secretarial Science Department at JCC. While at JCC, he received the Phi Theta Kappa outstanding Faculty member award in April 1984. For several years he was also associated with Farmers & Traders Life Insurance Company as a life insurance agent. In 1959, he was named "First Year" agent of the years by the Company.

For many years Mr. Wetterhahn was active as a baseball player and coach in the 1000 Islands area. He played 2nd base for the Clarkson University baseball team and at one time he served as a scout for several major league baseball teams.

He held offices in the 1000 Islands Recreation League and organized youth baseball teams in Cape Vincent & Clayton. He was active as an organizer and a participant in the Clayton Adult "Old Timers" Hockey League and coached youth hockey for several years.

Mr. Wetterhahn was a member of the Clayton Youth Commission for over 20 years. He was a farm director of the Jefferson County Agricultural Society, served on the Jefferson County Fair Board, and was a member of the Town of Clayton Recreation Board. In 1989 he was named to the Clayton Housing Authority. He as a communicant of St. Mary's Church, Clayton.

He enjoyed gardening for over 50 years, planting over 2 acres of garden on the family farm. He also enjoyed playing the organ, piano, banjo, and guitar and loved to play "Pedro" card games and Cronkinole with his grandchildren. For years he and his wife were season ticket holders for St. Lawrence University Hockey games and (in his early years) was a fan of the Montreal Expos and Ottawa Senators. He also enjoyed Syracuse Orange football and basketball games. In later years he became an avid Yankees baseball fan and loved college and NHL hockey games, He enjoyed watching his children and grandchildren participate in sports and music programs. He also enjoyed spending his spring nights bullhead fishing.

He is survived by his three sons and their spouses, Gerald T. and Kathy, Clayton, Joseph F. and Regina, Adams, and Jon M. and Patricia, Clayton; a daughter and her husband, Julie A. and Steven Dillenback, Watertown; a former daughter-in-law, Denise A. Wetterhahn, Adams; a brother and his wife, Gustave G. and Betty, Champlain, N.Y.; sisters-in-law, Sister Helen Mary McKeever, Watertown, and Justine and Bruce Hacker, Ovilla, Texas; 10 grandchildren, Chad, John, Andrea, Lauren, Madeline, Daniel, Michael, Christopher, Natalie, and Melissa; three step grandchildren, Jennifer Dillenback, and Mia and Jack Buckingham; eight great-grandchildren, Kayla, Allyson, and Emily Morgan, and Josh, Abigail, Caitlin, Nathan, and Isabelle Wetterhahn; and two step grandchildren, Matthew and Madison Briggs; nieces and nephews.

A special thank you to his caregivers, Hope Blassingame and Stepanie Robinson for the wonderful care they gave to him.

Calling hours will be held 4 to 8 p.m. Monday, Nov. 5, at Cummings Funeral Service, Inc., Clayton. A funeral Mass will be said 10 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 6, at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Clayton, with Rev. Donald Robinson, pastor of St. Anthony and St. Patrick's Churches in Watertown. Burial will be in St. Mary's Cemetery.

Contributions can be made to the Clayton Youth Commission, P.O. Box 191, Clayton, NY 13624 or the Volunteer Transportation Center, Inc., 203 Hamilton St., Watertown, NY 13601.

Condolences to the family may be made at www.cummingsfuneral.com. 

Information provided by Cummings Funeral Service and Newzjunky.com, Watertown