Gerald E. Hale

Gerald E. Hale, 46, of Schuylkill Haven, entered into his eternal rest on Friday morning.

Born in Pottsville on January 27, 1968, Gerry was the son of Christine (Corby) Hale and the late Thomas Hale.

To those whose lives he added indescribable joy, Gerry was a cherished husband to wife Cathy Covach-Hale, and a devoted daddy to sons Noah and Luke.

In addition to his wife, sons and mother, Gerry is survived by brothers Joseph Schival and wife Gina (Spring City), Thomas Hale and wife Lisa (Pine Grove), James Hale and wife Patty (Saint Clair), Eric Hale and wife Lynn (Port Carbon), and sisters, Christine Czachor and husband Ted (Saint Clair) and Karen  Adams and husband Jim (Saint Clair), nieces and nephews.

Gerry was a member of the Saint Clair Area High School Class of 1986.  He earned an Associate Degree from Penn State (Schuylkill Campus) and later graduated from the Reading Hospital Paramedic Program.  Gerry was employed at Schuylkill Medical Center South Jackson.

Gerry had many passions, one being his long and distinguished EMS career.  It began in the early 1980s when Gerry joined West End Fire Company in Saint Clair, soon followed by attendance at the PA Fire School.  He attended EMT school after which he worked with Saint Clair Ambulance, followed by Region and Pottsville EMS.  In the early 1990s Gerry worked at the Good Samaritan Regional Hospital Emergency Room with his best friend and fellow EMT Geno Sinkus.  Upon graduating from Paramedic School, Gerry landed his first Medic position with ALSS Pottsville, followed by Schuylkill Valley and Schuylkill Haven EMS.  In the late 1990s, Gerry completed the Muhlenberg (Berks County) ALS program, eventually landing a Medic position in an Allentown physician’s office.  With the birth of his sons, Gerry took a break from his EMS career.  He planned to begin classes this summer in pursuit of a nursing career.

To all who knew and loved him, Gerry was a true renaissance man.  From assistant coaching his son’s T-Ball team for Schuylkill Haven, to his accomplishments as a baker, chef, budding Christmas tree farmer and holiday decorator extraordinaire, there seemed to be no limit to what this man did well.  Gerry excelled at carpentry and all things construction, and was ever willing to share these gifts and talents with grateful family and friends.  Gerry enjoyed fishing with his sons.  He was an animal lover, football enthusiast, and fan of Bruce Springsteen and the Bobby Bones Show.  Along with his wife Cathy, the love of his life, Gerry was known for his extreme hospitality and generous spirit.

He will be missed by many.

Funeral Services will be held at 10 AM on Wednesday, June 4 at Jerusalem Lutheran Church, 252 Dock Street, Schuylkill Haven, PA 17972.  Calling hours at the church will be Tuesday evening, June 3 from 6-8PM, and Wednesday morning 9AM until time of service.  Interment will be at the convenience of the family.  In lieu of flowers a donation fund has been established and will be accessible at any Wells Fargo branch in the name of Catherine Covach-Hale.

Bruce T. Hart Funeral Home, St. Clair is in charge of arrangements.  Online condolences can be made at www.brucethartfuneralhome.com