Gerald “Jerry” Salmon

Gerald Gabriel Salmon, 75, a native of Scranton, died at home in Vestal on February 5, 2014 surrounded by his family whom he loved with all his heart. Jerry was preceded in death by his father, Gerald, his mother, Margaret Spain Salmon, brother Maurice and wife Lois, and his sister, Louise. Jerry is survived by his wife, Kathleen Higgins Salmon, his high school sweetheart to whom he was married for 49 years, his daughter, Sheila and husband David Bagnick, Vestal, his son Jerry and wife, Jill and their children Timothy and Lyla, Thorndale, PA, his son, John and wife, Bethany and their son Griffin Patrick, New York City. He is also survived by a sister in law, Betty Higgins Sivolella and husband, Nick, his brothers in law, Bob and wife, Nancy Higgins, Tom and wife, Joan Higgins, Dan and wife, Marianne Higgins as well as many nephews and nieces and their children. Jerry was a graduate of Scranton Prep where his was voted “wittiest” of his Senior class. He graduated from the University of Scranton and joined IBM’s Space Guidance Center in Owego, NY, where as a Junior Engineer he worked on the early space program computers. In 1963, on a military leave of absence from IBM, he was commissioned as an Ensign in the United States Navy after completing Officer Candidate School in Newport, RI. He was then selected to attend the Navy’s Cryptography School and was assigned to Norfolk, VA naval base as a Communications Officer for the Commander of the Atlantic Submarine Force where he served until his honorable discharge as a Lieutenant JG in 1967. Jerry then rejoined IBM Owego in the Marketing organization where we spent the rest of his career until his retirement in 1992. He traveled much of the world on behalf of IBM including Australia, China, and all the capitals of Western Europe. His happiest work achievement was his leadership of IBM’s American, British and Italian Marketing team which contributed to the IBM win on Great Britain’s Merlin Program, the UK’s primary anti-submarine helicopter. At the time, the multi-billion dollar award was the largest single contract in the history of IBM. For this and other contract awards, Jerry was awarded the Federal Systems President’s Award three times, the most ever given to an IBM Owego employee. At best a bogey golfer, he once had a hole in one at St. Margaret’s Golf Club in Dublin, Ireland. Luck of the Irish! He relished all sports, especially tennis, golf and skiing. He savored politics, writing and sticking up for society’s underdogs. True to his Irish roots, Jerry cherished his family and friends above all. His love for his grandchildren was over the moon. His favorite saying was Carpe Diem and he lived it to the last.
Funeral Services will be held Tuesday 10:15 am from the Allen Memorial Home 511-513 East Main Street, Endicott followed by a Funeral Mass at St. Vincent DePaul/Blessed Sacrament Church, 165 Clifton Blvd, Vestal at 11 am. Burial will be at the convenience of the family. The family will receive friends at the Allen Memorial Home, Monday from 4-7 pm.