Gerald R. Jossick, 72, previously of Newtown, died peacefully in the Hospice of Palm County, Boynton Beach, Fla., January 3, after a long illness. He was born in Bridgeport, January 19, 1942, and was the son of the late Helen (Murzyn) Jossick and Louis A. Jossick. 

He graduated from Harding High School in Bridgeport. After graduation, he served in the United States Navy from 1961 to 1966, aboard the DD-848 USS Witek and the DE-685 USS Coates. 

He worked at National Can in Danbury and owned or worked at several gas stations, as a mechanic. He was the owner of C.E.A.C. in Newtown, and created Spray Tech, Inc, also in Newtown. He was a member of the American Welding Society and received the DuPont Plunkett Award for Innovation with Teflon in 1997.

His children remember him as a kind and gentle father who could fix anything with a motor, especially automobiles; one only had to describe the noise a car was making and he would know what was wrong and how to fix it. Mr Jossick enjoyed golfing, fishing, and boating.

His wife of 52 years, Carol (Stude) Jossick; four daughters and their husbands, Karen and Tim Barnes of Savoy, Ill., Maureen and Lud Tarkowski of Stratford, Jennifer and Tom Harrington of Danbury, and Elaine and Dave Lowenadler of Bethel; nine grandchildren, Randy, Casey, Tyler, Nicole, Magdalen, Erin, Steven, Tessa, and Arianna; his brothers and their wives, James L. and Maria Jossick of Kensington, N.H., and Raymond and Joanie Jossick of Stafford Springs; and many cherished nieces and nephews survive Mr Jossick. He was preceded in death by his brother, Robert T. Jossick, and his sister, Nancy M. Moran.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Friday January 9, at noon, in St Rose of Lima Church, Newtown. Interment will follow in Resurrection Cemetery. Friends may call Thursday, January 8, at Honan Funeral Home, 58 Main Street, Newtown, from 2 to 4 pm and from 6 to 8 pm. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to Trustbridge/Hospice, 5300 East Avenue, West Palm Beach FL 33407, or The Dementia Foundation, through www.mvna.org.

To leave an online condolence visit www.honanfh.com.