Gerald Robert Dooley, a beloved husband, father, and grandfather passed away on February 18, 2019 at the age of 79 in Mayo Clinic Hospital – Saint Marys Campus, Rochester. He was born on September 28, 1939 in Oak Park, Illinois to Robert and Margaret Dooley. He graduated from De La Salle High School in Chicago and went on to attend St. Mary’s University in Winona, Minnesota where he graduated in 1961 with a degree in Mathematics. It was during college that he met the love of his life, Mary Graff, whom he married on July 13, 1963, in Britton, South Dakota.
Dooley worked for IBM after college and held various positions such as system engineer, marketing manager, and international assignments until his retirement in 1992. He and Mary moved to Red Wing in 1998 where they became active members of the Church of St. Joseph, Senior Center, and Red Wing Golf Club. He was an avid volunteer and community activist, teaching the 55 Alive safe driving program, driving for Three Rivers/Hiawatha Land Transit, and doing valet parking for Mayo Clinic in Red Wing. He and his wife also delivered Meals on Wheels for five years.
Dooley had a love for the outdoors and enjoyed gardening, downhill skiing, and hiking in the North Shore, as well as vacationing in Hilton Head, South Carolina. He loved trains and was passionate about them, often reading and traveling on them. This led to him helping start The Gandy Dancers Model Railroad Club in Red Wing. He was also a talented woodworker and cook, often making his secret spaghetti sauce. He cherished spending time with his family, attending his grandchildren’s activities, and being surrounded by loved ones and friends.
Dooley is survived by his wife, Mary of Red Wing; three children, Kathy (Dan) O’Connor of Chanhassen, Sandra (Greg) Warfield of Savage, and Kip Dooley (formerly Lisa Dooley) of Minneapolis; six grandchildren, Baihly, Annika and Cole Warfield and Quinn, Brendan, and Molly O’Connor; and two sisters, Patricia and Sharon Dooley, both of Wheaton, Illinois. He was preceded in death by his parents.
A Mass of the Resurrection was held at 11 a.m. on February 27, 2019, at the Church of St. Joseph with Father Thomas M. Kommers officiating. Visitation was held the night before the service at Mahn Family Funeral Home, Bodelson-Mahn Chapel in Red Wing and for one hour prior to the service at the church.
Dooley’s legacy lives on through the memories and impact he made on the lives he touched during his time on earth.
Posted by rabidscottsman on 2023-04-11 13:22:45
