Geraldine A. “Gerry” Cortimilia was born on October 18, 1943 in Buckley, Washington and passed away on October 12, 2024 in Vancouver, Washington.
Gerry attended Elementary School and Junior High School in San Jose, California and graduated High School at Neah-kah-nie High School in Rockaway Beach, Oregon.
After High School, Gerry joined the United States Navy, which took her to Bainbridge, Maryland for basic training and “YN-A” School. From 1965-1967, Gerry served in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii and the Naval Investigative Service Headquarters in Alexandria, Virginia. After her time in the Navy, Gerry joined the Coast Guard Reserves and was assigned to the Commander 13th Coast Guard District at the Reserve Group Headquarters in Portland, Oregon. During her time in the Coast Guard, she was stationed in Garibaldi, Oregon, Newport, Oregon, Warrenton, Oregon and Grey’s Harbor, Washington.
While in the military, Gerry was awarded the National Defense Medal, American Spirit Honor Medal, Navy Commendation Medal, Oregon Honorable Service Medal and earned the Honor Woman, Color Guard, Honor Guard and Base Choir certificates.
Gerry was a proud volunteer for the Equestrian 4-H Club, Equestrian Production Company, Canine Companions, Tillamook County Canines, Tillamook County Sharpshooters, Tillamook County Gunfighters and the 4-H Karate Club. During her volunteer work, she earned leadership pins and the Sid and Lillian Johnson Inspirational Trophy. Gerry belonged to the Tillamook Association for the Performing Arts since 1983, the American Legion Post 47 since 1984 and the Tillamook Shakespeare Club since 2005.
Gerry served in the US Navy from 1965-1969, in the Cinepac Fleet in Pearl Harbor and the NIS HQ in Arlington, Virginia. She was a legal secretary for George Goodrich – Attorney At Law and Elizabeth S. Merrill – Attorney At Law, both in Tillamook, Oregon from 1969-1983, OSU Extension Service in Tillamook, Oregon from 1983-1991, and as a Veterinary Asst. at Tillamook Veterinary Hospital and Reigning Cats and Dogs in Tillamook, Oregon from 1992-2000, and Dog Care and Training as a Dog Obedience Instructor and Dog Day Care Provider from 2000 until her retirement.
Gerry’s hobbies included acting, singing, avid collector of animal figurines – domestic and wild, piggie banks, military and police memorabilia and nutcrackers. You name it, she probably collected it.
Gerry will be greatly missed by her many friends and those whose lives she touched during her life. A memorial is being planned for a later date.
