Robert Jerauld “Jerry” Westcott Jr., Aug. 13, 1947-Aug.
12, 2024, died peacefully in his sleep at his cherished home on Hermit Lake in Sanbornton, surrounded by his loving family after a brief illness. Jerry was born in Chepachet, Rhode Island, to Barbara (née Wise) and Robert Jerauld Westcott Sr., where he lived for 18 years on his family’s farm with his younger sister Emily.
He was always proud that he was driving his own truck at the young age of 11. Jerry loved helping with the family’s Christmas tree farm that he and his father started, thus cementing his love of gardening and the great outdoors. Jerry spent many summers at Camp Fuller in South Kingstown, Rhode Island, eventually becoming a counselor and a bus driver for the camp.
Jerry graduated with a bachelor of arts in history from Rhode Island College and subsequently followed his father into the commercial printing and mailing industry as his lifelong profession. On Feb. 14, 1972, he met the love of his life, his wife of almost 52 years, Marie (née Shannon) through a mutual business acquaintance, and they spent their first date navigating a massive blizzard.
They were married seven months later on Sept. 8, 1972, and began building a beautiful life together. They welcomed two children Andrew and Julia, and eventually moved to North Kingstown, Rhode Island.
When Jerry got a job offer at Concord Litho in Concord, in 1981, rather than uproot his family, he began 30 years of weekly travel. He traveled throughout the East Coast and beyond, building a stellar reputation for his incredible knowledge of his business, his respect for all people in the industry, and his ability to get each job done with exceptional creativity and attention to detail. Some of his many career highlights include his work with the Walt Disney Company producing their park maps and receiving a U.
S. patent for a “cover and insert assembly for a periodical” (aka the cover sleeve). Jerry took almost 200 flights a year, traveling five days a week, but always made time for his daily phone call to check in with his kids and for his weekly date with his beloved wife at some of their favorite restaurant spots.
He always put his family first and never missed a game, recital, or play, no matter what. Jerry and Marie loved to travel together, eventually finding their favorite places of Sanibel Island and Prince Edward Island. After expanding their summer house on Hermit Lake in 2001, Marie and Jerry moved permanently to their forever and favorite home.
Jerry retired from Concord Litho in May of 2008 and embarked upon his second career — one of relaxing, boating, gardening, walking with his poodles Jackson and Harry, and spending extra time with his family. His vegetable garden was his pride and joy, he spent many happy hours choosing and researching seeds, planning and expanding his garden, and finally enjoying the fruits of his labor with beautifully cooked meals by Marie. Jerry welcomed his “buddy,” his grandson, Elias Westcott into the world in 2012, and relished in his new role as “PopPop.
” Jerry affectionately deemed him “JJ,” (Jerry Junior), and took a tremendous amount of pride in being the ultimate father figure to him. Jerry’s love for and extensive knowledge of jazz music was second to none. He adored listening to Duke, Miles, Basie, Thelonius, and Ella among many others and passing along his love for music to his children.
He also was fiercely loyal to his favorite people and places, having reserved seats at many local restaurants and was loved and respected by all whom he encountered on his and his family’s treasured meals together. Jerry truly valued 1:1 conversations, an exceptional meal, and a strict 5 o'clock cocktail hour, or as he referred to it — “post time.” He lived and taught the importance of treating everyone he knew in the same manner — from the CEO to the janitor, and this way of life always earned everyone’s utmost respect.
Jerry’s humility is the quality that taught his family the most:-on’t ever be the loudest in the room or seek others' approval, be the hardest worker and those are the only accolades you will ever need. Jerry was predeceased by his parents Robert J. and Barbara (née Wise) Westcott, his parents-in-law Whitney and Florence (Crosby) Shannon, his brother-in-law Mark Shannon, and his favorite pup, Jackson.
His memory will be kept alive and he will be forever missed by his wife of almost 52 years, Marie Westcott (née Shannon), of Sanbornton; his son Andrew Westcott (Britney Waldrip and her son Rylan Milne) of New Hampton; his daughter Julia Westcott (Michael Caza) of Pembroke; his grandson Elias Jerauld Westcott; his sister Emily Wise Westcott of Chepachet, Rhode Island; his brothers-in-law Richard (Nancy) Shannon of Waltham, Massachusetts, and Gary (Paula) Shannon of Lincoln, Rhode Island; his niece Tina (Shannon) Black and children Sofia and Justin, and his beloved standard poodle, Harry. Jerry’s family would like to thank the Lakes Region Visiting Nurses for their kindness and for keeping him comfortable, calm and dignified during this time. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in his name to his grandson’s school, St.
John Regional School, 61 State St., Concord, NH 03301, or the Lakes Region Visiting Nurses Association, 186 Waukewan St. #6023.
Meredith, NH 03253. A celebration of life will held from 2 to 4 p.m.
on Saturday, Aug. 24, at the Homestead Restaurant at 1567 Summer St., Bristol.
To leave words of comfort, encouragement or condolences, visit mayhewfuneralhomes.com ..
