Mark Scott Gerry Sr.

Mark Scott Gerry Sr., 57, died Jan. 5, 2013, at Mat-Su Regional Medical Center in Palmer.

A celebration of life is from 1 to 4 p.m., Jan. 19 at Tanaina Elementary School in Wasilla.

Mark was born March 7, 1955, in Fitchburg, Mass., to Paul and Rosa Gerry. Mark worked at Aro’s Poultry Farm in Lunenburg, Mass., before he moved to Alaska and became an employee for the Mat-Su Borough School District in 2007. Mark enjoyed yard sales, fishing and spending time with friends and family.

The family wrote, “Mark was a hardworking man and loved his job at Tanaina Elementary School. Tanaina was his second family. He always talked about his job and how the kids and staff made his day. Dad loved to spend time with his grandkids, family and friends. He loved to laugh and play jokes on all of us. He was very loving, caring and the kindest person you could ever meet. He was willing to help and do anything for his friends and family.”

Surviving are his daughter, Missy Gerry of Wasilla; son, Mark Gerry of Wasilla; son-in-law, Dan Yonkoske; adopted daughter, Christina Tomkins of Wasilla; ex-wife, Deborah Gerry of Wasilla; best friend, Bill Grossnickle of Wasilla; grandsons, Dewy Yonkoske, Jared Gerry of Anchorage, Issaiah Gerry of Wasilla, Carter Gerry of Wasilla, Luke Gerry of Wasilla and Landon Gerry of Wasilla; granddaughters, Hannah Gerry of Anchorage, Haley Gerry of Anchorage, Annabella Gerry of Wasilla and Danae’a Gerry of Wasilla; sisters, Rosemary of New Jersey, Helen Gerry Williams of South Carolina, Mary Ruth of Massachusetts and Lizzie Gerry of Massachusetts; and brothers, David Gerry of New Jersey, John Gerry of Massachusetts, Jimmy Gerry of Massachusetts, Paul Gerry of Massachusetts and Danny Gerry of Massachusetts.

Preceding him in death were his father, Paul Revere Gerry; and his mother, Rosa M. Gerry.

Arrangements were by Valley Funeral Home.