Our Splendid Torch Gerald David Moore

 “Life is no brief candle to me. It is a sort of splendid torch which I have got hold of for the moment and I want to make it burn as brightly as possible before handing it on to future generations.” — George Bernard Shaw
Gerald David Moore, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, friend, and pillar of the Chatham community, passed away peacefully, leaving behind a legacy as bright and enduring as the “splendid torch” he so passionately carried.
    A man of tireless service and infectious joy, Jerry dedicated over 11 years to Chatham Fire and Rescue and served as an EMT, always showing up when people needed him most. He was a former President of the Chatham Rotary Club and a Park Commissioner for the Chatham Park Department—roles he carried with humility and a deep love for his town. A successful business owner for over 50 years, Jerry was a steadfast presence in Chatham’s daily life, known for rolling up his sleeves, pitching in, and building something great out of nothing.
Later in life, Jerry brought his boundless compassion to Outer Cape Health Care in Wellfleet, where he served as a Medical Assistant, offering care and comfort to patients with the same heart he brought to everything he did. He was also an active member of the Brewster Baptist Church.
But it wasn’t just what he did—it was how he did it. Jerry was a true lover of life: of Shakespeare and Tolkien, of good music and great theater, of dogs curled at his feet and guitars cradled in his hands. He was a seafarer in soul and practice, a mariner who found peace and purpose in the rhythm of the tides.
He was also a lover of laughter—especially when shared around a kitchen table, in the company of friends, or quoting Captain Ron for the hundredth time just to make you smile. His generosity was legendary, his wisdom steady, his humor disarming, and his spirit unshakably kind. Everyone who crossed paths with Jerry—whether for a fleeting moment or for a lifetime—was changed for the better.
He was the kind of man who could create warmth where there was cold, hope where there was doubt, and joy where there was sorrow. A friend, mentor, and quiet hero to many, Jerry was the sun around which his family orbited—our humble hero in a work truck.
Jerry is survived by his beloved wife and life partner, Karen; his daughter and son-in-law, Chelsea and Rob; his son, Joseph; his grandchildren, Seamus, Beck, and Alia; his sister, Cynthia, sisters-in-law Patty and Pamie, Carol and Magna, brothers-in-law David, Jamie, Billy, and Jeff, his dog Fannie; and a wide circle of extended family, friends, and those fortunate enough to have called him theirs.
His torch may have passed from our sight, but its light lives on—in the lives he touched, the love he gave, and the community he helped build. Rest well, Jerry. You were thoroughly used up—and gloriously so.
Services for Jerry will be held on August 10th, 2025 at 12pm at Brewster Baptist Church (Main Street on 6A in Brewster) with a reception to follow at the Fellowship Hall at Brewster Baptist Church. We ask guests to wear Hawaiian style garb or bright colors in celebration of the joy that Jerry brought to all our lives.