[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 6 (Monday, January 10, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E13]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





             HONORING THE LIFE AND SERVICE OF JERRY DESMOND

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JOE COURTNEY

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, January 10, 2022

  Mr. COURTNEY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to mourn the passing of 
dedicated public servant, Captain Jerry Desmond, of Stonington, 
Connecticut. Mr. Desmond tragically passed at the all too young age of 
63 on Friday, December 24, 2021 after a courageous battle with cancer.
  Born in 1958 to James and Phillis Desmond in Weymouth, Massachusetts, 
Jerry attributed his strong work ethic to the model of his parents. 
From an early age, Jerry was instilled with the value of giving 
whatever task or challenge laid before him a full ``100 percent.'' This 
principle guided him through life to the very end, even during his 
arduous battle with cancer which he did so with an infectious sense of 
optimism and the can-do attitude that defined his life.
  At the age of 5, Jerry moved with his family to Stonington, putting 
him on a destined path to become an integral part of the local 
community. The Stonington Public Schools had such an immense impact on 
him that upon graduating he went on to serve as a substitute teacher 
and tutor beginning in 1976. This role existed as a further point of 
inspiration for Jerry, who attended Southern Connecticut State 
University and earned a Bachelor of Arts of Education.
  Though upon graduating he was unable to immediately bridge to a 
career in teaching, Jerry remained undeterred in his ultimate mission 
to give back to the community that helped raise him. As someone who was 
able to appreciate the larger picture, Jerry used the athletic prowess 
he formed in high school and joined the local police force while 
simultaneously taking up the role of assistant coach for Stonington 
High School's football and track and field teams. In addition to 
football and track and field, Jerry coached the local woman's 
gymnastics team through to his final moments. A fierce optimist who 
believed in the value of hard work, Jerry was a perfect fit for the 
Stonington Public School's athletic programs. He appreciated working 
with the town's youth--passing onto them the same values taught by 
Jerry's parents before him--and viewed that work as one of the most 
rewarding parts of his career--especially enjoying his time as 
Stonington Police Department's Youth Officer.
  Jerry would eventually return back to school and advance his 
background in education, graduating from the FBI Training Academy in 
Quantico. He also received a Masters in Homeland Security Leadership 
from the University of Connecticut. Aimed with a revitalized education, 
Jerry went on to teach as an adjunct professor at the nearby Mitchell 
College, in New London, Connecticut.
  Of course, the pinnacle of Jerry's career was his remarkable 35 years 
of service to the Stonington Police Department, 17 of those years as 
Captain of the Department. During that time, he helped oversee the 
department's marine unit and was involved with the dive team and acted 
as a boating instructor. He was instrumental in the awarding of a 
$375,000 federal grant to the Department for a new police boat which 
went into service in 2014. That same year, Jerry retired from the 
department. Not content to accept a sedentary retirement, however, 
Jerry used his spare time to begin a new career with the Department of 
Energy and Environmental Protection as its Boating Safety and Education 
Representative, maintaining the role of teacher to the very end.
  Madam Speaker, it is an incredible honor to represent constituents as 
loyal to the future of their community as Jerry. I had the privilege to 
interact with him as congressman and can attest to his diligent 
professionalism and down to earth personality which was so engaging. 
Jerry's life was defined by his love for teaching and giving to his 
community. His actions touched thousands of people, and he served as an 
excellent role model for Stonington's next generation. Though the gap 
left by his generous and caring nature could not hope to be filled in 
the Stonington community, we can find relief in the reality that those 
whose lives were enriched by Jerry's presence will not soon forget his 
example. To that end, I ask that my colleagues and this chamber join me 
in observing the loss of Jerry Desmond.

                          ____________________