Gerard F. Carden

On Saturday morning, July 15, 2023, Gerard (Jerry) Carden passed away peacefully at Wayne Memorial Hospital surrounded by his family and at his side was his true soul mate and wife of 65 years Peggy. He looked one last time into her eyes, closed his and was at rest. Jerry was born on July 29, 1935, to Paul and Ann Oneitta Carden. He had two exceptional brothers Paul and James. Of the three brothers, he was the youngest and last surviving. Jerry was brought up in Carbondale, PA and graduated from St. Rose High School in 1953. He moved to Washington DC to attend Georgetown University. After leaving Georgetown, he went to work for the F.B.I. under J. Edgar Hoover and joined the U.S. Army Reserve where he attained the rank of Sergeant.

On a trip home to Carbondale, Jerry met Peggy Fives at St. Josephs Hospital. At the time, Peggy was a student nurse caring for his father. He fell in love with her the moment they met. Jerry was often noted as saying “she was the most beautiful girl he had ever seen.”

Jerry and Peggy married on May 2nd, 1959, in St. James Catholic church in Pleasant Mount, PA. They moved to Bridgewater, NJ to start their new life and were blessed with three children. He went to work for EganMachinery as their first computer programmer and data processor for the company’s newly acquired IBM computer system. While at Egan he was recalled to active service during the Cuban Missile Crisis. He was a volunteer fireman at the Finderne Fire House and was the founder and first president of the Bridgewater JCs. He would spearhead the charity drives that helped so many worthy causes. Jerry was on the planning committee for the development of Somerset County College, now Raritan Valley Community College.

Jerry and his family were active members of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Bound Brook, NJ. He was instrumental in the planning and construction of the new church.

Jerry left Egan Machinery for a career in real estate where he became a member of the millionaire sales club, seven years in a row. Jerry left real estate to take a position at the Shawnee Village Resort on the Delaware in PA where he became Vice President. Jerry retired from Shawnee, but his retirement was short lived when he was sought out for a management position at Chrystal Springs Resort in Northern, NJ. In 2014, Jerry and Peggy moved back to PA and settled down on Fives Rd near Pleasant Mt.

Jerry was a kind man always thinking of others. He couldn’t drive by someone on the side of the road without stopping and offering assistance. He was always there for you. He was the person that would give you the last dollar in his pocket. Jerry’s greatest joy in life was his family. He loved spending time with them whenever he could, and vacations were the high point. Jerry stories could make you laugh to tears. Everyone loved Jerry. He will be so deeply missed.

Jerry is survived by his wife Peggy and feline best friend Molly. In Florida, his son Kevin and his wife Beverly, their son Kevin and their two daughters Erin and fiancé Garrett, Darby and boyfriend Charlie.

In Maryland his son Kieran and his wife Erica, their three daughters Chelsea and boyfriend Jordan with great granddaughter Rory, Natalia and husband Kelvin, and Patricia.

In Virginia, his daughter Michele and her husband Marty Strong, their two daughters Megan and husband Ryan with great grandson Carson and Tara and husband Tom from Australia.

He also had a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

His family will receive friends on Wednesday at Hessling Murray Funeral Home, 428 Main St. Honesdale, 4 to 7. A Memorial Mass will be celebrated on Thursday, July 20th at St. James Church, Pleasant Mount at 10:30. Military honors will follow.