In Memory Of
Daniel P. Kerr
1920
2012
Daniel P. Kerr
January 17, 1920 — November 23, 2012
Daniel P. Kerr
November 23, 2012
Daniel P. Kerr, 92, formerly of East Syracuse and New Bern, NC died Friday, November 23, 2012 at the Syracuse Home Association in Baldwinsville. Mr. Kerr was born on January 17, 1920 in Jamestown, NY, the son of the late Daniel Kerr and Isabelle De Lisle. He graduated from Jamestown High School in 1938 and enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1943. Mr. Kerr served in HQ Co – 3103rd Signal Service Battalion as a Code Clerk and the Battalion Mail Clerk. He achieved the rank of T-5 while serving with his unit in Europe. During his service, he was awarded the ETO Ribbon with 3 battle stars, a Good Conduct Medal, and a Marksmanship Award. His unit was involved in top secret activities related to the Invasion of Normandy, specifically creating fake radio communications to deceive the German Army as to the exact location of the Normandy landing. As a result, his unit received a Meritorious Service Unit Award. After the successful Normandy invasion, his unit supported front line troops liberating France and Belgium with coded communications.
After his discharge from the U.S. Army in 1945, Mr. Kerr went through an apprentice printing training program and worked for various newspapers. He then attended a technical school and became a linotype machinist, working at several newspapers and then at several typesetting plants. Mr. Kerr married Mary Catherine Nobles, daughter of the late Frank Nobles and Josephine Lenda, on July 12, 1952 in Buffalo, NY and they raised 3 sons and 2 daughters. He retired from Dix Typesetting, Inc. in Syracuse, NY in 1982.
After his retirement, he and his wife moved to New Bern, NC and lived in River Bend, a retirement community outside of town. He was an avid golfer, a frequent Red Cross Blood donor, and a soup kitchen volunteer for a charitable organization. Although they moved to New Bern, they still enjoyed staying at their summer home at Lorton Lake outside of Altmar, NY. Daniel enjoyed sailing his Super Sailfish on Lorton Lake where he won numerous sailing contests as the fastest boat on the lake. He also enjoyed swimming, fishing and teaching his grandsons how to fish as well.
Daniel and Mary moved back to Syracuse, NY in 2008 where they resided at Greenpoint Senior Living in Liverpool. Due to declining health, they relocated to the Syracuse Home Association in Baldwinsville in 2011 where they resided until their passing.
Daniel was preceded in death by his wife of 59 years, Mary Catherine Nobles Kerr, and a brother and sister, Allyn and Barbara. He is survived by sons, Stephen (Robin) of Stephens City, VA, Daniel (Elaine) of Boise, ID and John Kerr of Salina, UT; daughters, Ann (Robert) Rahaley of Adelaide, Australia and Catherine Kerr of Chittenango; grandchildren, Scott and James Kerr and Matthew and Jason Rahaley; several nieces, and nephews.
Services to be held at a later date. There are no calling hours.
Contribution in lieu of flowers may be made to the Syracuse Home Association, 7740 Meigs Road, Baldwinsville, NY 13027
November 23, 2012
Daniel P. Kerr, 92, formerly of East Syracuse and New Bern, NC died Friday, November 23, 2012 at the Syracuse Home Association in Baldwinsville. Mr. Kerr was born on January 17, 1920 in Jamestown, NY, the son of the late Daniel Kerr and Isabelle De Lisle. He graduated from Jamestown High School in 1938 and enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1943. Mr. Kerr served in HQ Co – 3103rd Signal Service Battalion as a Code Clerk and the Battalion Mail Clerk. He achieved the rank of T-5 while serving with his unit in Europe. During his service, he was awarded the ETO Ribbon with 3 battle stars, a Good Conduct Medal, and a Marksmanship Award. His unit was involved in top secret activities related to the Invasion of Normandy, specifically creating fake radio communications to deceive the German Army as to the exact location of the Normandy landing. As a result, his unit received a Meritorious Service Unit Award. After the successful Normandy invasion, his unit supported front line troops liberating France and Belgium with coded communications.
After his discharge from the U.S. Army in 1945, Mr. Kerr went through an apprentice printing training program and worked for various newspapers. He then attended a technical school and became a linotype machinist, working at several newspapers and then at several typesetting plants. Mr. Kerr married Mary Catherine Nobles, daughter of the late Frank Nobles and Josephine Lenda, on July 12, 1952 in Buffalo, NY and they raised 3 sons and 2 daughters. He retired from Dix Typesetting, Inc. in Syracuse, NY in 1982.
After his retirement, he and his wife moved to New Bern, NC and lived in River Bend, a retirement community outside of town. He was an avid golfer, a frequent Red Cross Blood donor, and a soup kitchen volunteer for a charitable organization. Although they moved to New Bern, they still enjoyed staying at their summer home at Lorton Lake outside of Altmar, NY. Daniel enjoyed sailing his Super Sailfish on Lorton Lake where he won numerous sailing contests as the fastest boat on the lake. He also enjoyed swimming, fishing and teaching his grandsons how to fish as well.
Daniel and Mary moved back to Syracuse, NY in 2008 where they resided at Greenpoint Senior Living in Liverpool. Due to declining health, they relocated to the Syracuse Home Association in Baldwinsville in 2011 where they resided until their passing.
Daniel was preceded in death by his wife of 59 years, Mary Catherine Nobles Kerr, and a brother and sister, Allyn and Barbara. He is survived by sons, Stephen (Robin) of Stephens City, VA, Daniel (Elaine) of Boise, ID and John Kerr of Salina, UT; daughters, Ann (Robert) Rahaley of Adelaide, Australia and Catherine Kerr of Chittenango; grandchildren, Scott and James Kerr and Matthew and Jason Rahaley; several nieces, and nephews.
Services to be held at a later date. There are no calling hours.
Contribution in lieu of flowers may be made to the Syracuse Home Association, 7740 Meigs Road, Baldwinsville, NY 13027
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Daniel P. Kerr, please visit our flower store.
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