Gerd Voss, 81, passed away on Jan. 28. His devotion to his family, his wife of 45 years, Mary, and his children was evident in all he did. He cherished spending time with family, enjoying a good meal, and sharing a laugh. Gerd’s laughter was always genuine, and his smile had a warmth that brought joy to those around him.
Gerd was born in Königsberg, Germany, in 1943, during World War II. When the Soviet Union invaded Königsberg, he, his mother Lieselotte, and Tante Elfrieda fled. They eventually settled in Herdecke, Germany, where Gerd grew up. He had fond memories of life in Germany: receiving a Zuckertüte (a decorated cone filled with toys and sweets) on the first day of school, taking a tile out of the roof of their attic apartment to create a window, and swinging up and down the rope of the church bell to ring it.
At only 14, before leaving Germany for the US, Gerd took a solo trip around Europe – staying in youth hostels, and with monks while he traveled, explored, and met people. He then immigrated to the US with his mom, crossing the ocean on a barge, to meet his father, Pranas, in Boston. On the barge, Gerd brought a record player, playing music for sailors on the boat. He always loved to share the joy music brought him.
Gerd loved Germany and his culture. It remained an important aspect of his identity throughout his life, and he traveled back to Germany many times.
Gerd was diligent in his career as a crane operator and later as a dispatcher and crane manager for Shaughnessy & Ahern Crane Co. in South Boston. Additionally, for a few years, he owned and operated a pet shop in Boston, importing tropical fish and birds—a reflection of his entrepreneurial spirit and love for animals. After retiring from the crane and rigging industry, Gerd drove the Council on Aging bus for the towns of Whitman and East Bridgewater well into his late seventies – a job that, for him, was not a job, but a pleasure.
Outside of work, Gerd had a range of hobbies. As a young man, he was an exceptional swimmer. He loved playing board games and card games. Gerd was also a collector—he owned several unique cars, and he curated a collection of records (disco and German music being his favorites) and historical coins, especially those reflecting German history. He loved his pets — his dogs Buddy, Granola, and Hunter, as well as his cats Mitza and Shadow, who were a source of great joy and companionship.
Gerd’s Lutheran faith was an integral part of his life. He attended church every Sunday and was a member of Lutheran Church of the Cross in Hanover, and previously the First Lutheran Church of Boston. He had a strong faith in God.
He is survived by his loving wife, Mary Voss; their daughter, Erika Rose Voss, and her husband, Brian Jones; his son, Christopher Mazzola, and his wife, Michele; and daughters from his first marriage, Susan Voss-Hadley and Monika DiMella, and her husband, Vinny, as well as son-in-law Michael O’Brien. He is also survived by his grandchildren Spencer, Kyle, and Caitlin; Courtney; Jessica, Emily; and Angela; as well as great-grandchildren Ophelia; Gianna and Luca. He is preceded in death by his parents, Lieselotte and Pranas Kerbedis; son-in-law Matthew Hadley; and his eldest daughter, Linda O’Brien.
Visiting hours will be held at the Cartmell-Davis Funeral Home, 373 Court St., Plymouth, MA 02360, on Wednesday, Feb. 5 from 4 to 6 p.m., with a service to follow at 6 p.m. Flowers are welcome, or donations may be made to Lutheran Church of the Cross in Hanover or, B.O.N.E.S (Beagles of New England States).