Early in the afternoon on September 10, 2012, Jerry Aske died peacefully. He was under hospice care in his home overlooking the Shelburne Bay, surrounded by loved ones. Father Michael deForge of Saint Catherine's of Sienna had just given him Holy Communion and remained with Jerry during this transition of spirit. His wife and six family members were by his bedside.
Jerry was born in St. Cloud, Minnesota, on January 4, 1933, to Virginia Cairns Aske and Lambert J. Aske. His family moved to Shelburne, Vermont, at the onset of WWII to build ships for the Navy during World War II. Jerry grew up on Shelburne Bay and attended Shelburne Public School from 5th to 11th grade. He graduated from Georgetown Preparatory School in 1951. He attended the University of Vermont, graduating in 1956 with a commission as a U.S. Army second lieutenant. He was stationed in Bamberg, Germany, and after two years of active duty, he returned to the shipyard. Jerry was also in the Army Reserve and retired as a colonel.
For the 10 years between the sale of the Shelburne Shipyard and the establishment of his own marina, Jerry worked as the public relations director for the Madonna Mountain and Bolton Valley Ski areas and was later editor of Window of Vermont.
Jerry remained actively involved with his marina next to the shipyard and as a member of the board of directors of the Lake Champlain Yacht Club. He served as a Shelburne selectman for two years.
Jerry’s book From Steamboats to Subchasers: The History of the Shelburne Shipyard will be published this week.
He is survived by his wife, Margaret Aske; his children, Wendy and husband Billy Brauer, Karen and husband Tim Simmons, Eric Aske and wife Sari, and Simon Stubbs and wife Becky; grandchildren, Lauren and Charlie Tompkin, Charlotte, Ellen, and William Simmons, Magnus Aske, and Jessie Stubbs; two stepchildren, John and Margot Russell; and two step-grandsons, Schuyler and Kevin Russell.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Visiting Nurse Association hospice program or the American Cancer Society.
A funeral mass will be held this Saturday, September 15, at St. Catherine's of Sienna, Shelburne, at 10:30 a.m.
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