A unique funeral procession will be held for Geraldine “Gerry” DeMeo, a bus driver of 37 years in town, today in Rockland.
DeMeo passed away at the age of 90 last week.
Gerry’s Last Bus Route is being organized by the Magoun-Biggins Funeral Home. The procession will stop at each of the five schools in town.
Owner and President, Daniel Biggins, is hoping people will support one of Rockland’s best.
“At the funeral home, it’s our job to celebrate people’s lives, and to allow families and communities to acknowledge a death. Given the current restrictions, in certain ways it’s become impossible for us to celebrate people’s lives in the traditional ways that we always have,” said Biggins. “Gerry was a person who everybody knows in Rockland. She’s driven multiple generations of Rocklanders to school, people think of her almost as an extended member of their families.”
While not the typical wake, Biggins hopes residents can show support for DeMeo and her family.
In her obituary, DeMeo was described as an adamant Red Sox and Patriots fan. She always had treats ready for the dogs along her route. She coached multiple baseball teams and cheered for every Rockland team, ringing a cowbell from the stands.
DeMeo felt she had the best job in the world transporting members of the community.
Photo courtesy of the Magoun Biggins Funeral Home.
The Magoun-Biggins Funeral home chartered a school bus to lead the procession around town. A school bus-themed casket was designed by Rockland resident Greg Cobb.
“We’re going to be stopping at all five of our community schools, to briefly pause in front of them in honor of Gerry,” said Biggins. “We’ll be going through some of Rockland’s neighborhoods, hopefully so that we can give our neighbors and friends the opportunity to stand along the procession route along Gerry’s Last Ride to hold a sign or wave to her family.”
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Gerry DeMeo Scholarship fund through the Rockland High School Guidance Department.
Gerry’s Last Ride details:
1.) 10:15 a.m. departure from Magoun-Biggins Funeral Home
2.) Right on Union Street
3.) Left on Mackinlay Way (Pause in front of the High School)
4.) Left on Taunton Ave. (Pause in front of the Middle School)
5.) Follow Taunton Ave. until its end (Pause in front of the Memorial Park Elementary School)
6.) Return up Taunton Ave.
7.) Right on Union Street
8.) Left on Market Street
9.) Right on Old Market Street
10.) Right on Durbeck Road
11.) Right on Brooks Road
12.) Right on Moncrief Road
13.) Right on Levin Road
14.) Cross Summer (Pause in front of the Esten School)
15.) Right on Concord Street
16.) Right on Market Street
17.) Left turn into Jefferson School (Pause)
18.) Left on George Street
19.) Left on Crescent Street
20.) Left on Union Street
21.) Right on Market Street
22.) Continue on Centre Ave
23.) Conclude at Holy Family Cemetery. (Services at the cemetery are private.)
