Jerome Vaughan (Jerry), age 84 of Naples, FL passed away peacefully on Aug 30 at AVOW Hospice in Naples, FL.
Born in County Cork, Ireland, he came to the US at age 10 with his family and settled in NYC. At age 17 his father signed him into the US Army where he served for 22 years, earning the Bronze Star medal for bravery in Vietnam.
He married wife Joan (DeCost) in 1963. As a military family they were stationed in multiple locations with his final duty assignment at West Point, NY. He retired from the Army in 1980 and went on to work with the Hudson Valley VA Health Care System, as Chief of Voluntary Services, (with over 400 Voluntary personnel) for another 22 years.
He was active in the American Legion, loved playing the bass drum in the MacLeods of Cornwall Bagpipe Band, and the ROOC Organization, He also worked as a volunteer at the Collier County Sheriffs Dept in Naples.
Jerry and Joan enjoyed traveling to different countries in Europe and took many vacations with their family to Cape Cod, and back to his homeland in Ireland. They moved to Naples, FL in 2011. He loved having coffee and going out to breakfast with his Sherwood buddies in Naples and always enjoyed a game of pinochle with friends.
He was predeceased by his parents John and Bridgit (Creagh) Vaughan, sisters Mary and Kathleen Vaughan, and brother Brendan Vaughan.
He leaves behind his beloved wife Joan of 60 years, sister Hanora Lombardi of North Carolina, daughters Susan Swammy (Mark) of Highland Falls, NY, Michelle Centolanza of Highland Falls, NY and son Sean Vaughan (Liza) of Naples, FL. He was a proud grandpa to Corey Malone, Kerri Mann, Anthony Centolanza, Rocco Centolanza, Haydee Vaughan, Patrick Vaughan, Elisa Vaughan and Great-Grandsons Austin and Dylan Mann.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Thurs, Sep 12 at Fuller Funeral Home, East, Rte 41, Naples from 12-2 pm followed by a reception at the Sherwood Clubhouse from 3-6 pm. Burial with full military honors will take place on Fri, Sep 13 at Sarasota National Cemetery, Sarasota, FL at 11:30 am. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the America Diabetes Association or a charity of your choice.