Gerard Sotolongo

GERARD SOTOLONGO Gerard M. Sotolongo, age 94, of Evansville, passed away Friday, September 12, 2014 at the Terrace at Solarbron. Mr. Sotolongo was born January 1, 1920 in Havana, Cuba to the late Gerard and Ada Sotolongo. Gerard moved to New York City as a young child and enlisted into the United States Army in 1942. Enlisting in the Army forever changed him, as he met the love of his life, the former Rita O’Bryan, at a USO dance in Evansville. Upon his discharge from service in 1946, Gerard accepted a job with Mead Johnson and Company in Evansville. Rita and Gerard were married in 1947 and their family resided in Evansville until 1969 at which time Gerard was transferred to Bristol Myers International Division in New York City, where he eventually became the Director of Pharmaceuticals. The family relocated to Middletown, NJ, where they lived until 2012, at that time they returned back to Evansville. Surviving are three daughters, Kathleen (Lou) Dersch of Williamsville, MO, Mary Jo (Michael) Townsend of Evansville and Patricia (fiancé`, Timothy Byram) Trasborg of Shrewsbury, NJ; three sons, Gerard A. (Charleen) Sotolongo of Acton, MA, Michael J. Sotolongo of Evansville and Richard (Marilyn) Sotolongo of Waterford, MI; eighteen grandchildren, Barbara Dersch, Louis Dersch, Robert Townsend, Rita Hoss, James Townsend, Daniel Townsend, Christine Sotolongo, Angela Sotolongo, Lindsey Hacker, Angela Vosmeier, Michael G. Sotolongo, Jennifer Sotolongo, Catherine Trasborg, Patrick Trasborg, Parker Trasborg, Peder Trasborg, Scott Austin and Ann Wagoner and 26 great grandchildren. Mr. Sotolongo was preceded in death by his wife of 66 years, Rita Marie (O’Bryan) Sotolongo in 2013 and by a son-in-law, Paul Trasborg. Funeral services will begin at 10:30 A.M. on Friday, September 19, 2014 at Pierre Funeral Home, continuing at 11:00 A.M. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Rev. Brian Emmick officiating. Burial will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery, where the Vanderburgh County Retired Veterans Memorial Club will conduct military rites. Friends may visit with the family from 3:00 until 7:00 P.M. on Thursday at Pierre Funeral Home, 2601 W. Franklin Street, where there will be a memorial service conducted by the church at 4:00 P.M. Memorial contributions may be made to the St. Vincent de Paul Society or to Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Condolences may be made online at www.pierrefuneralhome.com.

Gerard Sotolongo

January 1, 1920 - September 12, 2014