Gerald Joseph Mood passed away peacefully on Monday, September 30, 2024 at Bay Health Hospital - Kent Campus in Dover, Delaware.

Gerald was born November 26, 1937 to John and Alice Mood in Smyrna, Delaware. He attended Smyrna High School, graduating with the Class of 1957. He then enlisted in the United States Navy, where he served honorably aboard the USS Oriskany as an electrician. Following his military service, Gerald continued working as an electrician through his employment at General Foods in Dover, Delaware for over 30 years.

Gerald was deeply dedicated to his community. He was a lifetime member of the Citizens’ Hose Fire Company, Station 44 in Smyrna, Delaware where he served for over 65 years. He is the only member to date to achieve over 12,000 alarm responses, and one of a select few to achieve the rank of Chief Emeritus. Gerald served as Fire Chief from 1971-73 and 1979-82. He was first appointed to the Board of Directors in 1965 and served in that capacity until current, serving consecutively since 2003. An active member of the marching band, Gerald had the honor of carrying the United States, Delaware, or Company flags in the color guard. In his latter years, he meticulously cared for and faithfully drove the Company’s oldest piece of apparatus, a 1928 American LaFrance Type 145 Metropolitan, affectionately referred to as “Old Mom.”

Gerald devoutly served the Body of Christ through his humble participation at St. Polycarp’s Catholic Church in Smyrna, Delaware. As a longtime lector, he read the Word of God during Mass, served on the maintenance and security committees, performed weekly altar preparations for the celebration of Mass, mowed the church grounds, and was always on-call to respond immediately to any need.

Gerald was a dedicated family man, husband and father, and was widely respected amongst the community, putting the needs of others ahead of his own. He will always be remembered for his honest, compassionate, witty, generous, fair and kind character.

Gerald is survived by his wife Linda, daughter Maria and her husband Scott, son Gerald and his wife Carrie, granddaughters Arianna and Emma, brother James and wife Carolyn, and sister Alice. He was preceded in death by his parents John and Alice, sister Virginia, and brothers Donald and Jack.

A viewing will be offered on Friday, October 11, 2024 from 5 to 9 PM in the Faries Funeral Chapel, located at 29 South Main Street in Smyrna. Access to the funeral home up until approximately 6 PM will be limited due to the scheduled Smyrna Homecoming Parade through town, but Gerald would have wanted to partake in the Homecoming activities! A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered Saturday, October 12, 2024 at 11 AM at St. Polycarp Roman Catholic Church, located at 55 Ransom Lane in Smyrna. Burial with military honors will follow at Odd Fellows Cemetery in Smyrna.