Belated birthday wishes Dad

Late to this: Jerry's birthday came and went a couple of days ago. 

Over 7 years have past since he left us and yet I still turn to make a note to tell him something. And realize it will be via the spiritual route, not in real life.

Dolores and I made a visit last weekend to Mom and Dad's grave site.  I cleaned away some of the weeds from the bronze plaque.

grave site in Pawtucket

The Sherlock's - once upon a time

Probably either in 1944 or 1945 as all are in uniform. This photo was available at Martina's funeral. The Higgins family readily agreed to make copies for those of us who wanted one. That the copy arrived in the mail on Feb 19th was special! Thank you!

Sherlock Family

Left to right, back row: Edward, John, Gerald, Henry, Paul
front row: Helene, Angela, Grandpa Sherlock, Grandma Sherlock, Fran, Martina

Rita and Jerry

Rita and Jerry down at East Matunuck, RI



Dad and Mom in the hallway at St Raphael Academy. One of the times that Dad headed the parent association there (as indicated by the gavel).



One of my favorite photos of Mom and Dad. The holiday (Christmas) table at Division St



Another photo at Division St. Would be later in the 70's I think.

Gerald (Jerry) Sherlock

Sherlock, Gerald F. 86, passed away Sunday, February 19 after fighting the good fight against his illnesses. He was the husband of the late Rita C. (Joyal) Sherlock who passed away in November 1983.

Jerry was born and lived most of his life in Pawtucket. He graduated from St. Raphael Academy in 1943, joined the US Marines, and served in the Pacific Theater of WW II where he fought in the battles of Saipan, Tinian and Iwo Jima.

He was a cost accountant working for many years at Washburn Wire Co, then Golden Eye Seafood and the Ronci Company before retiring. He was active in the parents’ associations for St Joseph’s School and St Raphael Academy. He also served one year as the RI State Chairman of the United Way and in leadership positions with the United Steelworkers and AFL-CIO. A long-time communicant of St. Joseph Parish (Pawtucket) he served some time as Parish Council President.

He leaves six children: Stephen Sherlock of Franklin, MA; Robert Sherlock of Barrington, IL; Michael Sherlock of Westmont, NJ; Eileen Harriman of Saco, ME; Joan Sherlock Moody of Cranston and Patricia Palardy of Smithfield; 13 grandchildren; a brother, Henry Sherlock of Providence and three sisters, Martina Higgins of Bristol, Angela Brousseau of South Kingston, and Helene Mainor of North Kingston. Pre-deceased by siblings Frances Campbell, Jack, Edward, and Paul Sherlock

Funeral Saturday at 8:00 AM from the ANDERSON-WINFIELD Funeral Home, Route 44 at Greenville Common, Greenville. Mass of Christian Burial at 9:00 AM in St Michael’s Church, 80 Farnum Pike, Smithfield. Burial with military honors in Notre Dame Cemetery, Pawtucket.

Donations in memory of Gerald can be made to Honor Flight at http://www.honorflight.org/ Honor Flight works to transport America's veterans to Washington, D.C. to visit those memorials dedicated to honor their service and sacrifices For directions and condolences visit www.andersonwinfield.net

Episode 10 The Pacific

Great night with Jerry and his fellow Marines!

We started the night off at the Greenville Inn with Jerry his son Steve, Ed Malloy, Carl Weston, Steve Cileli and myself. The usual buffoonery with Ed setting the tone at the dinner table. At one point Gary Tikoian stopped by to exchange pleasantries with everyone and trade barbs with Eddie.

Gary's uncle was Harry Kizirian. Rhode Island's most highly decorated Marine in World War Two. Harry was with E Company, 2 Batt., 22nd Marines, 6th MARDIV.

Jerry 's dad worked for the Post office for 39 years in Providence and was friends with Harry. Jerry met Harry after the war.

Great food and then back to Ed's house and sat down to watch The Pacific. We watched Episode 9 again. Steve Cileli does a great impression of Snafu. We won't delve to far into that. You had to be there.

Ed's wife, Ellie made coffee and provided dessert. She made a special dessert for Jerry. Steve Sherlock and myself gave Jerry a hard time because he usually raids the dessert table at family gatherings. "I like to try one of each to make sure it is safe to eat." Yeah okay!

Ryan Malloy came in to watch the final episode and to meet Jerry. Ryan is a big Marine Corps fan. He'd have to be. His grandfather is legendary Providence Police Lieutenant Ed Malloy, Eddie is a Marine and uncle Carl Weston is also a Marine.

Ryan listen intently to Jerry talk about his experiences in the Pacific with the 4th MARDIV.

Again, Jerry filled in some of the guys about calling a fire mission in on Japanese positions while with JASCO. Ed asked Jerry what weapon he carried and what he liked.

Jerry of course said he liked the M-1 Carbine.

'I carried about ninety rounds with me. Six clips. We would cut a cross or X in the bullet to add stopping power. I would use my pliers and take a file and make the cut. One guy used to sell the ammo. He would cut an X on the top and then sell the ammo for like 20 bucks for a hundred rounds."

It made a difference with the carbine round being equivalent to an A plus P38 special. It turned the bullet into a hollow point. I know some of you people are getting torqued about about the Geneva Convention. Listen, I'm pretty sure if Jerry went to Geneva to fight the Swiss, he'd abide by the Geneva convention.

Jerry spoke about the Japanese getting fired up on Saki and then launching a banzai charge at around 2200 at night.

"They'd get all fired up on the Saki and charge. A couple guys found a cave that was as high as a tenement house. It was loaded with beer and saki. A guard was placed on the cave so the Japs didn't sneak back and get liquored up. A couple days later we came off the line and made a pit stop. We were supposed to get some R and R. Shower, hot chow and rest up. We got into the beer and Saki. Then we got word that the battalion that relieved us got pretty well beaten up. We got word to go back and relieve them. That was pretty rough. I'm not sure how many guys weren't hung over. We smelled pretty bad too. The Japs must have smelled us coming"

When the final episode started it showed guys coming home. Bob Leckie got home and was dropped off by a cab driver. The driver refused to take Leckie's money. The cab driver was a paratrooper who jumped into Normandy. The Paratrooper says the Gyrenes had it tough.

Leckie gets his job back with the paper as a sports writer. He courts Vera Keller.

Lena Basilone goes to New Jersey and meets up with John's parents and brother George. George tells her that he saw the grave site at Iwo and he is with his fellow Marines. I pointed out the shoulder insignia of the Fourth on George Basilone' uniform. Jerry nodded.

Jerry told us about coming home via ship to California. He had to make a deposit for a Marine sergeant.

"This sergeant won $8,000.00 playing craps. He gave several of us $2,000.00 to bring back. We had his bank and name to deposit it in. He told us that if we stiffed him, he'd find us and get the money back or kill us. As soon as I got stateside I deposited the money." Carl Weston asked if Jerry got a fee. "Oh yeah about $500.00 dollars."

The scene cuts out to Sledge and Snafu on the train heading back from the west coast. Jerry told everyone how they boarded trains and headed home. It took six days to go across the country.

"We would stop every morning and get a breakfast and then they'd give us a box lunch for the day. We would pull right into a town and go into a Harvey House and eat. There was a movie that came out called the Harvey Girls. Judy Garland played in the movie. One place, we stopped right in the middle of the town, got out and went to a bar. They had closed the main door and moved everyone to a side entrance. Inside was a long bar filled with beer bottles. You could walk up, pick up your beer and pay for them at the other side. It was one of the most efficient operations I ever saw!

Eventually I got to Washington, DC and attempted to get back to Providence by train. I got picked up by the MP's. They asked for my orders. I was trying to get back to Rhode Island in time for my sister Fran's wedding. I was going to be the best man. She was marrying Vin Campbell. They put me in a truck along with a whole bunch of Marines and we got sent to Bainbridge, MD to muster out. I never made it to the wedding."

Snafu gets to New Orleans and gets up to leave. He looks at Sledge who is asleep. I think we all see Snafu is reluctant to say goodbye. He walks off the train letting Sledge sleep.

Jerry remarked that once he mustered out from Bainbridge, he got back to Rhode Island by train.

"I got to Providence and it was early. So I took a bus to Pawtucket and went home. My mother was there. I wanted to see my father, who was on his mail route in Providence. My mother immediately told me to head back to Providence as my father would be thrilled to see me. He had told everyone that I was in the Marine Corps and was rather proud of me. I went to the Post office and they told me where he would be. So I surprised him on his route and then I walked the route with him. He introduced me to everyone. My sister was still in Hawaii and Jack was still in Europe. Paul was in Paris at SHAPE.( Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe) Tough duty. Ted was still with the Coast Guard and Henry was at sea with the Navy."

Editors Note: Paul was still in high school when Jerry returned home. He was the youngest of the group and didn't get to go to Europe until well after the WWII.

The show concluded with a post script on what happened to each of the Marines. It was uncanny how much the actors looked like the characters they portrayed.

Jerry was a little subdued near the end. I suspect he saw a little of himself in all of the characters. He has told his daughters that the series has evoked some memories.

He told me that he had a long night after the Iwo episode. He laughed but it was his stalwart character kicking in. It was clear that some strong feelings were brought back. We talked at length about Jonesy.

I was able to find some info on Jonesy. He died of his wounds and was buried at sea. He is still listed as missing/buried at sea in Department of Defense records. Jonesy is listed on the Tablet of the Missing in Honolulu at the War Memorial.

Eugene Sledge's father had worried about what would happen to his son after the war. He had treated returning soldiers from World War 1 and had seen the suffering of these veterans.

Sledge and others eventually figured it out and moved forward.

The highlight of the night came when Carl Weston gave Jerry a special gift. Carl had taken part in a contest on line answering questions about the Marine Corps. Carl won and received a bag of volcanic ash from Iwo Jima. Carl built a box, painted it Marine Corps Red and placed the Eagle Globe and Anchor emblem on the top.

Carl presented the box containing the ash from Iwo to Jerry. Jerry is still pretty thrilled over the gift. Something only MARINES would understand. Something so simple yet complex. That box and what it represents to Jerry and Carl transcends the boundaries of a generation of MARINES.

The Pacific is over and it has received great reviews from Jerry. It did bring back some memories. Not all good but he laughs and moves on keeping us all chuckling. Jerry says Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg have hit the mark. He is awaiting the next project from them and has his own ideas.

The blog will continue. As Jerry said the other night; "I have a lot more stories to tell!"

Special thanks to Ellie and Ed Malloy for opening there wonderful home to Jerry and his Gang.

Especially to Ellie for her hospitality.

Thanks to Carl Weston ,Steve Cileli and Ryan Malloy for joining us on the evening of the final episode.

Jerry has been thrilled all week. His time with family and his MARINES mean so much.

"The man who will go where his colors will go, who will fight a phantom foe in a jungle or a mountain range and will suffer and die in the midst of incredible hardship, without complaint, is still what he has always been. He is the stuff of what legions are made. His pride is his colors and his regiment, his training hard and thorough and coldly realistic, to fit him for what he must face and his obedience is to orders. As a legionary, he held the gates of civilization for the classical world... he has been called UNITED STATES MARINE."

Lt. Col. T.R. Fehrenbach, US ARMY in "THIS KIND OF WAR"

Pawtucket Library - M Francis Campbell Auditorium

Pawtucket Library - M Francis Campbell Auditorium, originally uploaded by shersteve.

The ceremony to dedicate the auditorium at the Pawtucket Public Library in honor of M Francis (Fran) Campbell was held Sunday afternoon (3/30/08).

This placque on the wall in the auditorium was covered and supposed to remain covered during the speeches. The covering "fell" off mysteriously as Fr. St Goddard and Mayor James E Doyle talked about Fran.

Suspicion was the Fran had something to do with it!

Pawtucket (RI) Library Invite

You may recall that M Francis (Fran) Campbell passed away recently. We received an invitation to the dedication of the auditorium at the Pawtucket Public Library in her name on March 30th.

Hurricane 1938 & Bridges

Jerry talks about the 1938 Hurricane being out of school, his sister* and brother loosing cars to the flood during the Hurricane Carol (1954). Bridge safety in Pawtucket with the I95 bridge in for repairs now.

Time: 7 minutes, 19 seconds



MP3 File

* at the Library gathering March 30th, it was confirmed that Helene lost her car. We'll need to capture the rest of the story as the car she got to replace it was a "hurricane car" that wasn't supposed to be sold.

Blizzard of 1978 - 2

Jerry talks with Steve about the Blizzard of 1978. Steve shares the story of his weekend trip to NYC. Jerry talks about Ted & Mary walking to a PC game.

Time: 4 minutes, 47 seconds



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Jerry's Story: Drug stores and St Rays

Jerry talks about the drug stores in the neighborhood and then about the neighborhood around St Ray's as some houses got moved for Rt 95 to go through Broadway and Summit

Time: 5 minutes, 43 seconds



MP3 File

Jerry's Story: Working in the Neighborhood

Jerry talks about working for the paper merchant, loading stock from the 3rd floor, riding the truck to deliver in Providence.

Time: 4 minutes, 18 seconds



MP3 File

NORMAND JOSEPH (Red) ROBICHAUD

ROBICHAUD, NORMAND JOSEPH, also known as 'Norm', 'Red', 71, a lifelong resident of Pawtucket, was born into eternal life Friday evening surrounded by his loving family holding him. Normand passed away after a courageous battle of pancreatic cancer. He was the husband of Colette (Joyal) Robichaud. Born in Pawtucket, he was the son of the late Emery and Lea (Laporte) Robichaud. Mr. Robichaud was a life-long communicant and Eucharistic Minister of the St. John the Baptist Church, Pawtucket.

He served in the U.S. Marine Corps and the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict. He attended St. John the Baptist School, Sacred Heart, West High, and RI School of Design. He was a lifetime member of the Lefoyer Club and a member of the Les Gais Chanteur for over 40 years. Normand served on the school board at Woodlawn Catholic Regional School in Pawtucket for 33 years. In his spare time he enjoyed playing golf, painting, drawing, and spending time at the barn with the family horses, George, Heaven and Dog Becca.

Mr. Robichaud was a model cutter for 27 years for Jostens in Attleboro, and then Balfour for 7 years. After his retirement in 2001, he became a dedicated volunteer as a Eucharistic minister at the Miriam Hospital in Providence where he carried on his services of comfort and prayers, love and laughter to those in need. This was a job which he especially enjoyed. Normand always loved to make others laugh and always succeeded at brightening the love of others.

Normand's spirit will live on in the legacy of his family. He was the adoring father to his five children who will miss him dearly: Charles E. Robichaud, Brigette A. Robichaud, Aimee D. Robichaud, Denis A. Robichaud, and Elise M. Robichaud. He also leaves several nieces and nephews, cousins and friends, all of whom cherished his love. He was the brother of the late George Robichaud, Cecile Hamel, and Yvette Clement.

His funeral will be held Tuesday at 9 AM from the J.J. Duffy Funeral Home, 757 Mendon Road, Rt. 122, Cumberland. Mass of Christian Burial at 10 AM in the St. John the Baptist Church, 69 Quincy Avenue, Pawtucket. Burial will follow in the Notre Dame Cemetery, Pawtucket. Relatives and Friends are kindly invited. Calling Hours will be held Monday, 4-8 PM. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the St. John the Baptist Food Bank, 69 Quincy Avenue, Pawtucket, RI 02860. Directions and Guestbook

reprinted from the Providence (RI) Journal edition of 11/11/07.

Colette was one of my mother's sisters, Norm was one of Jerry's brother-in-laws

Jerry's Neighborhood

Jerry's childhood neighborhood in Pawtucket as seen in Google Maps today:


View Larger Map

Fran Campbell

M. Frances Campbell

CAMPBELL, M. FRANCES 'FRAN', 93, of Walcott Street, died Saturday at Memorial Hospital. She was the wife of the late Vincent J. Campbell, Sr.

Born in Pawtucket, she was a daughter of the late John F. Sr. and Mary Agnes (King) Sherlock and was a lifelong resident of the city. She was educated at Sacred Heart Grammar and High Schools in Pawtucket and graduated from Rhode Island College of Education in 1935. She began her 40 year teaching career at Oakland Beach School in Warwick followed by periods at Samuel Slater Jr. High School, Pawtucket, John W. Horton School, and later at Parkview Jr. High School both in Cranston. She was a critic teacher for many years guiding numerous student teachers toward academic excellence. She was a Past President of the RI Retired Teachers and the Blackstone Valley Teachers, Past Secretary & Treasurer of the RI Social Studies Association, a member of the Central Retired Teachers, A.F. of T. Retired Teachers, American Association of Teacher Educators, Delegate to the Annual Teacher Educators Convention for RI, a member of the Legislative Committee of the RI Teachers Association and the AARP Community Participation Person of the RI Teachers Association.

She was a Lecturer and Eucharistic minister at St. Joseph Church, Pawtucket as well as Past President of its Senior Citizens Club and Past Vice President of its Woman's Club. She was Past President of Mercy Mount Mothers Club, Past President of Sacred Heart High School Alumni. She was Treasurer of Catholic Woman's Club of RI and former member of the Ladies Auxiliary of St. Raphael Academy and Recording Secretary and Treasurer.

Mrs. Campbell was a Charter member of Providence College Veridames, and member of the RI College Alumni Association. She was a Regent of the Pawtucket Circle of the Daughters of Isabella and Recording Secretary of the State Circle.

On the Community level, she began her service with the American Red Cross Motor Service from 1941-1945 as a driver. She was a member of the Memorial Hospital Guild, the Pawtucket Women's Club, the Pawtucket Public Library, Deborah Cook-Sayles since 1983 and served as a Chairperson and later a Vice Chairperson there, and was a member of the Visiting Nurses of Blackstone Valley. She was a 2003 inductee of the Pawtucket Hall of Fame.

She was great advocate for Elderly issues and rights and testified at the RI State House Hearing and Committees. She was appointed a Delegate to the US Representative Fernand St. Germain White House Conference in 1981. She was Past President of Pawtucket Senior Citizen's Council, a Board Member of the Leon Mathieu Senior Center, and an Advisory Board Member of the Home and Community Care Board of the Department of Elderly Affairs. She was Elected State Democratic Woman for District 62.

She is survived by two sons, Vincent J. Jr. and his wife Patricia Campbell of Rehoboth, MA, Kevin P. Campbell of Pawtucket; three sisters, Martina Higgins of Bristol, Angela Brousseau of South Kingstown, Helene A. Mainor of North Kingstown; three brothers, John F. Sherlock, Sr. of Pawtucket, Gerald F. Sherlock of Smithfield, Henry J. Sherlock of Providence; four grandchildren, Shawn C. and his wife Holly Campbell of Rumford, Todd R. Campbell of Pawtucket, Honey H. Campbell of Pawtucket, Roseanna C. and her husband Brian Cavanaugh of Franklin, MA, and one great-grandson, Connor J. Campbell of Rumford. She was the sister of the late Rep. Paul Sherlock and Edward 'Ted' Sherlock. She was the former mother-in-law of Jann Campbell of Arlington, VA.

A funeral will be held on Friday at 8:30 a.m. from the CHEETHAM MORTUARY INC., 1012 Newport Ave., Pawtucket with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. in St. Joseph Church, 193 Walcott St., Pawtucket. Burial will be in Mt. St. Mary Cemetery, Pawtucket. Relatives and friends are invited and may call on Thursday from 2-4 and 6-9 p.m. Donations may be made to RI College Foundation, 600 Mt. Pleasant Ave., Prov., RI 02980, in 'Fran's' memory.

Published in The Providence Journal on 10/30/2007.

Jerry's Story: Revisiting the neighborhood stores

Jerry talks about the neighborhood stores, the corner stores, the days before the big supermarkets came.

Time: 6 minutes, 29 seconds



MP3 File

Trackless Trolleys and Streetcars

Jerry talks about the street cars and trackless trolleys and traveling between Pawtucket and Providence. He also mentions the Outlet Store and its cartons of suits.

Time: 5 minutes, 50 seconds



MP3 File

The drug store cowboys on Broadway

Jerry talks of the family walk on Broadway on a Sunday to his grandfather's house. As the family walked by, his sisters drew comments from the "drug store cowboys". No wonder they did not like to go to Grandpa's.

Time: 5 minutes, 7 seconds



MP3 File

Catholic Churches in Pawtucket, RI

Jerry talks about the many Catholic Churches in Pawtucket and how when they tried to take a short cut and go to the French church for confession, the pastor told them to go to their own church.

Time: 3 minutes, 13 seconds



MP3 File

Selling Christmas trees from the front yard

Jerry talks of Ted selling Christmas trees from the front yard; corner of Coyle Ave and Broadway in Pawtucket. Ragman, iceman, and peddlers. Jerry also wants to check with his older siblings on some of these details.

Time: 4 minutes, 5 seconds



MP3 File

Passing lunch buckets during the sit down strike

Jerry talks about when he and other kids in the neighborhood would pass lunch buckets through the windows to the workers involved in the sit down strike. Of his father's trip on the first bus to Providence. Of the man "at the end of his blood".

Time: 5 minutes, 48 seconds



MP3 File