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DARIEN, Conn. Gerald "Jerry" Vernon, a 57-year resident of Darien, died Sept. 21 at Stamford Hospital. He was 98.
Born Aug. 30, 1914, in Unsan, Chosen, Korea, he was the son of Joseph Angier Vernon and Blanche Marie Monnerat Vernon. He lived in Vevey, Switzerland, Newport, R.I., Mexico and Wyoming before settling in Allentown, N.J., in 1921.
Vernon graduated from Colgate University in 1937 with a degree in psychology. He later worked as an account executive for CBS Network Radio for 36 years. He started his career at NBC Network Radio in New York and was later promoted to general manager of NBC TV Network in Chicago.
In 1947, Vernon became director of the ABC TV Network in Chicago, where he met his future wife, Mary Moorhead. He enjoyed sailing and golf for most of his life, as well as racing Ensigns on the Long Island Sound.
He was a member of the Darien Senior Men's Association, Innis Arden Golf Club and Noroton Yacht Club. Vernon was also a volunteer driver for the American Red Cross. He especially enjoyed spending time with his children, grandchildren and great-granddaughter. He was a parishioner at Our Lady Star of the Sea Church in Stamford.
Vernon is survived by his wife of 62 years, Mary Vernon; two sons, Gerald (Anne), of Fairhaven, N.J., and William (Jill) Vernon, of Darien; two daughters, Ann Vernon, of Fairfield, and Margot (Daniel) Sullivan, of Darien; a sister, Bianca Vernon Nealley, of Montclair, N.J.; 11 grandchildren and a great-granddaughter. He was predeceased by a brother, Ferol Bruce Vernon.
The family will receive friends from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Edward Lawrence Funeral Home in Darien. A Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Friday at Our Lady Star of the Sea Church in Stamford.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Stamford Hospital Foundation, 1351 Washington Boulevard, Suite 202, Stamford, CT 06902.
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