SMYRNA – Raymond G. “Jerry” Hazard Sr., 67, of Smyrna, passed away Thursday afternoon, Jan. 24, 2008 at his home.
Born in Norwich in Sept. of 1940, Jerry was the son of Raymond E. and Frances (Anderson) Hazard. He attended both St. Paul’s School and the Norwich High School, and was a very proud veteran of the United States Army, having served his country in the 1960s. Jerry worked for several employers in his early years, including Smith Ford of Norwich, Taco of Sherburne for 19 years, Town and Gown of Hamilton for whom he drove a bus, Perma Steel of Norwich, and Chenango County Transit. A strong and hard working individual, Jerry loved life and was considered the rock of his family. Witty and charming, he enjoyed both fishing and watching NASCAR on the television, and was a member of the Sherburne American Legion Post #876. In the 1980s, Jerry decided to complete his education, earning his GED degree in 1985 and his associate’s degree in Individual Studies from Morrisville in 2005.
On March 8, 1975, in Norwich, Jerry married Linda Shoales. He is survived by his wife, Linda Hazard of Smyrna; his mother, Frances Galloupe of Arizona; and his children: Teresa Hazard and her significant other, David Evon of Oxford, Raymond “Joe” Hazard Jr. and his significant other, Sabrina Pierce of Earlville, Wendy Miller and husband Randy of Sherburne, Christie Hanyon and husband Chad of Norwich, and Jeremy Hazard and his significant other Lisa Wyman of Norwich. Jerry is also survived by his sister and brother: Arlene Svenson and husband Richard of California and James Hazard of Arizona; his grandchildren: David, Brittany, and Ryan Evon; Jennifer, Jerry, Jasmine, Trever, Kylie, and Bradley Hazard; Ashlee, Kristin, Amber, Randy, and Maranda Miller; Trinity Hanyon; and Dorian and Michele Hazard, to whom he was a mentor; and by many great grandchildren.
Funeral services for Jerry will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday from the R.J. Fahy Funeral Home. The Rev. Jeremy Stopford will officiate. Interment with full military rites will be held at a later date in the Fairview Cemetery of New Berlin. Friends are invited to call at the R.J. Fahy Funeral Home on Wednesday from 11 a.m. until the service at 1 p.m.
Memorial contributions may be forwarded to Hospice and Palliative Care of Chenango County, 21 Hayes St., Norwich, New York 13815. Jerry’s family wishes to thank Hospice for their care of him during his final illness.
Anyone who has any special thoughts or remembrances of Jerry may put them on paper and bring them to the calling hours.