Michael Andrew Gerrety

Michael A. Gerrety, age 77 of Seaforth, MN died Saturday, May 19, 2018 at his residence in Seaforth. Services will be 10:30 AM Thursday, May 24, 2018 at the St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Seaforth.  Visitation will be held from 5:00 to 8:00 PM Wednesday, May 23, 2018 also at the church in Seaforth, with a Divine Mercy Chaplet at 5:00 PM, a prayer service at 7:30 PM, followed by a Rosary.  Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the church on Thursday.  Interment will be in the St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery in Seaforth.  The Sunset Funeral Association is handling the arrangements. Michael Andrew Gerrety was born January 6, 1941 to Raymond and Alice C. “Chris” (Connet) Gerrety in Tyler, MN. He was baptized and confirmed in the Catholic faith.  As a young child the family moved to the metro area and Mike attended Fridley High School.  He left school his junior year to enlist in the U.S. Navy in 1958 and served on the USS Lake Champlain as an aircraft mechanic.  While in the service he completed his high school education. During his last year in the Navy, Mike met Paula Tebbs and they were married on January 20, 1962 in Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Tujunga, CA. Upon his honorable discharge in 1962 they made their home in Minnesota for a year before moving to the San Fernando Valley in California.  He worked in construction until 1967 when they moved back to Minnesota making their home in the Twin Cities area.  Mike worked construction and as a mechanic for Northwest Airlines and Flying Tigers.  He went back to vocation school for Law Enforcement and was a Police Officer in the Lakeville and Eagan Departments. He also worked for several counties for the DEA.  In 1976, Mike moved his family to Tyler, MN where he served as Police Chief.  In 1978, they moved to Redwood falls, MN, where he served as Chief of police for twelve years.  After retiring, they moved into Seaforth, MN in 1999. Family, faith, community and hard work were what Mike will always be remembered for. He always took time to help others and made it a point in his life to help others less fortunate then himself.  He loved spending time with his family, tubing, repelling, and camping.  He enjoyed wood working, leather working and stained glass work, as well as, hunting and fishing.  He loved meeting new people and making new friends, and connecting with old ones.  Mike was known for his ardent belief in the sanctity of life and put his faith in God every day. On Saturday, May 19, 2018 Mike died at his home, with his wife by his side, at the age of 77. Mike is survived by his wife, Paula Gerrety of Seaforth, MN; one daughter, Paulette (Sean) Halloran of Waconia, MN; four sons, Michael (Linda) Gerrety of Liberty Hill, TX, Tim (Huyen) Gerrety of Vesta, MN, James Gerrety of Seaforth, MN and Patrick Gerrety of Boise, ID; fifteen grandchildren; ten great grandchildren; one sister, Mary Gerrety of Andover, MN; three brothers, Carl “Sam” (Nancy) Gerrety of Blaine, MN, Patrick (Mary) Gerrety of Homer, AK and Collin “Tom” Gerrety of Brainerd, MN; many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Preceding him in death was a granddaughter, Anja Marie Gerrety and his parents, Raymond and “Chris” Gerrety. Blessed be his memory.