NORWICH – Gerald C. Hooks, 88, of Canasawacta Street, passed away peacefully on Thursday, Feb. 17, 2011 at his home. His family was at his side.
Gerald was born Feb. 12, 1923 in Little Falls, the son of Walter and Margaret (Hart) Hooks. He was a graduate of St. Mary’s Academy in Little Falls after which he served with the 15th Air Force in Italy during World War II. He continued his education at Utica College, graduating in 1949. Gerald completed graduate studies at St. Lawrence University and at the University of North Carolina.
On Aug. 23, 1947, Gerald married Vivian Burns at St. Mary’s Church in Little Falls. She survives along with his sons, Edward (Susan) Hooks of Ithaca and Henry (Anne) Hooks of Niagara Falls; and a daughter, Bernadette “Katherine” Hooks of Covington, WA. He is also survived by five grandchildren, Kathleen Hooks of Baltimore, Patrick (Catherine) Hooks of Dewitt, and Erin, Kevin and Meghan Hooks, all of Niagara Falls. Several nieces and nephews also survive. Gerald was predeceased by his parents and three brothers, Walter, Robert and Bernard as well as a sister, Elizabeth McKay.
Gerald was employed for many years at Sheffield Chemical in Norwich as Technical Director and as a Professor Emeritus at SUNY Morrisville where he taught chemistry for 18 years.
Following hostilities in Europe, Gerald played baseball with the Crack 2nd Bomb Group Adriatic Area championship team and participated in the Mediterranean Theater of Operations “World Series” in Leghorn, Italy. Among participants there were major league stars, Ewell Blackwell, Harry Walker and others. He played semi-professional baseball in the Mohawk Valley League after the war.
Gerald was a communicant of St. Paul’s Church in Norwich and a past Grand Knight and Treasurer of the Norwich Council of the Knights of Columbus. He also served as chairman and program director of the Mohawk Valley Chapter of the Institute of Food Technologists.
A Mass of Christian Burial for Gerald will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Saturday at St. Paul’s Church. There will be no calling hours. Burial will take place at a later date in St. Mary’s Cemetery in East Herkimer.
 Contributions in memory of Gerald may be made to Johns Hopkins Project Restore, Johns Hopkins University, Path 627C, 600 N. Wolfe St., Baltimore, Md. 21287 or to Hospice of Chenango County, 21 Hayes Street, Norwich, NY  13815.
 The arrangements are under the direction of the Wilson Funeral Home. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting the funeral home website at: www.wilsonfh.com.