[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 145 (Friday, September 9, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E906]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      HONORING THE LIFE AND SERVICE OF GERARD ``ROD'' GAYNOR, JR.

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                           HON. JOE COURTNEY

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 9, 2022

  Mr. COURTNEY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to mourn the loss Gerard 
``Rod'' Gaynor Jr, of New London, Connecticut who passed away on August 
29. 2022, at age 80. Rod was a well-respected, virtuous man, whose 
positive, lifelong contributions to the City of New London were honored 
by an overwhelming turnout from the community at his wake and funeral 
on September 2nd and 3rd.
  Born in 1942 to Gerard and Gemma Gaynor, Rod was raised within, grew 
through, and empowered by the City of New London. His family upbringing 
and his deep religious faith, drove his passion to serve those around 
him. He gained impactful learning experiences from New London's 
schools, attending both public schools and Saint Joseph's parochial 
school before earning a college degree from Mitchell College, located 
right in the center of the city.
  Upon graduating college, Rod embarked on a full-time career within 
the New London Police Department, eventually gaining a promotion in his 
service from officer to detective for the force. He had a penchant for 
purposing his sharp sense of loyalty toward creating a more effective 
and safer town, particularly through community policing. For example, 
he helped found several programs within the Department, including both 
the first crime prevention program and scuba diving unit for a town 
that borders the Thames River and Long Island Sound. A level-headed, 
diligent professional, Officer Gaynor became the first member of the 
New London Police Department to earn the VFW Police Officer of the Year 
award early on in his tenure, one of the innumerable commendations he 
received throughout his 37-year-long career for committing both his 
heart and mind to the Department.
  Upon his retirement from the force, Rod became all the more active 
within the City and its local institutions. It was no small footnote 
within his life of service that he ran for and was elected to the 
position of city councilor before becoming mayor of the City of New 
London. He was an active member of New London politics, and as a 
candidate who has been on the ballot in New London a number of times, I 
personally benefitted from his stalwart support and advice.
  If you were to ask him, however, one of the accomplishments he prided 
himself in most was performing the role of the first full-time, 
permanent Deacon of St. Joseph's Church. A devoted husband, father and 
grandfather, Rod eventually made the difficult decision to move from 
New London to live closer to his family in the neighboring town of 
Waterford. He of course remained active within the local communities, 
maintaining strong ties to the city while also becoming elected to 
Waterford's Representative Town Meeting.
  Madam Speaker, it is nothing short of inspiring when constituents, 
like Rod, remain as loyal and dedicated to giving back to the very 
communities that were so formational in their own upbringing. It is a 
kind of mission that speaks a thousand words about one's character. Rod 
dedicated his life in service to the People of New London and was known 
to be gentle in every relationship. He will be sorely missed by all who 
knew him, and we remain forever grateful that there are so many 
community members to carry on his name and memory. This includes his 
wife, Carole, of more than 58 years, his four children, Maureen, 
Teresa, Christine, and ``Rod'' III, grandchildren and great-
grandchildren as well as the greater family. To that end, Madam 
Speaker, it is fitting that my colleagues in the House join me in 
uplifting the memory of Gerard ``Rod'' Gaynor, Jr.

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