Gerald A Moson

Gerry's dad died when he was 3 years old. He was brought up in Wilbraham, Massachusetts on 33 Manchonis Road, this house has since been torn down and replaced by a newer one. Gerry had no siblings but was always very close to his mother. Gerry served in the Army during the Vietnam War but I don't think he saw any combat. This may have been where he acquired a background in electronics. I met Gerry working at Hamilton Standard and had mentioned that I was learning to play the bass guitar and soon after we formed a rock band. We practiced in his attic in house house on 61 Keith St. in Springfield, Massachusetts. Gerry's main guitar hero was Jimi Hendrix but was partial to Eric Clapton & Cream, The Doors, Chicago, etc. Gerry was a very likeable guy, he drove a Harley, was a casual beer drinker, and a heavy smoker. He liked to jam with his friends, and tinker with electronics, fixing friends television sets, guitars and amps that he would find and salvage. He was very proud of his blond stratocaster guitar, antique Martin acoustic guitar, and a semi-hollow acoustic/electric. He owned a few Fender tube amps, a cry baby wah wah pedal like Hendrix's and was constantly adding amps and effects that he had bartered for or fixed up. He and his wife separated around the time his eldest daughter, Vicki, moved out in the early 1990's. Just prior to this he had been laid off from Hamilton Standard and had since been working for the city of Springfield's water department. He also had a good deal of his guitars and amps stolen out of the trunk of his car, including his antique Martin. After his separation he moved back home with his mom. He soon after he died walking home late at night along Boston Rd in Wilbraham after being hit by a truck.