
McINTYRE GERARD CHARLES HERKY Sadly but peacefully he slipped away on Thursday, July 16, 2015. Herky was the third child of Clarence James and Dorthea Mae (Rodgers) McIntyre, he was born in Pittsburgh on June 6, 1935. Preceding him in death after 49 years of marriage was his lovely bride, Jean Delores (Cawley), he always said he didn't have enough time with her. His son, Richard J.; brothers, Peter, Clarence (Mate); and his parents. He is survived by his children, Linda (Mike) Bobak, Steven (Dianne), Mark (Cynthia); treasured grandfather of Andrea, Michael, Sean, and Kevin; great-grandfather of Rocky and Lucy; sisters, Bea, Mary; brothers, Rich and Leo. As children of the second world war in early 1944, Herky, his two older brothers and sisters were taken from their parents by the Divine Sisters of Mercy to St. Paul's Orphanage when he was only 8. Upon entering the eighth grade, he could go home reuniting with his parents. He went to Beechwood school where he won a race as the fastest child in Pittsburgh. Herky was an altar boy, played the trumpet, had an artistic knack for drawing which he later developed into painting, he could whistle any song or sound like the birds, in the evenings he would whistle loudly for his children to come inside for the night. He enlisted in the Air Force in 1952 at age 17, he went to Africa, and Germany during the Korean Conflict. The disruption of his childhood challenged him emotionally and somehow he became the voice of reason. He was the dependable child whom each of his siblings came to when they needed help. He had a gift for teaching. Herky was a Cub Scout leader, managed little league baseball teams at McKinley field, coach of the Rangers football team at JFK Football league and would give a golf lesson anywhere you could swing a golf club, including his living room. He taught watercolors at CCAC, Point Park College, Phipps Conservatory and Carnegie Mellon. Gerard Herky retired from Don Allen Chevrolet after 30 years as a union (Teamsters 926) body man. He traveled extensively with his family. He was an avid golfer who loved the game almost as much as he loved to be with his fellow golfers. He had a hole-in-one at the South Park golf course #8 of the 9-hole course while golfing with his buddies of the Beechview Moose. We are grateful for the time we had our Dad who always had a joke, a toast, or a prayer ready. He remained independent to the end and loved to spend time with us. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you spend some time with or call that person you've been meaning to call and take them out to lunch, catch up, have a few laughs. "Time's ticking, Pal." You are invited to join us in the celebration of a life well lived Thursday 2-4 and 6-9 p.m. at WM. SLATER & SONS, INC., (412-381-3345), Virginia Ave. and Kearsarge St., Mt. Washington. Burial will be on Friday, July 24, 2015, at 10 a.m. in the National Cemetery of the Alleghenies. PLEASE MEET AT THE CEMETERY AT 9:30 a.m. www.slaterfuneral.com Send condolences post-gazette.com/gb