Gerald Arthur Gifford, 54, of Jacksonville, NC, formerly of Wareham, MA, died October 30 at Pitt County Memorial Hospital.

Gerald was the son of George Gifford and the late Jean (Tassinari) Gifford. He was born in Bristol, CT and lived in Wareham and Middleboro, MA and Indiana before moving to NC.

He graduated from Wareham High School, class of 1975. He was a member of the Cromesett Tribe Order of the Redmen #156 in Wareham. He enjoyed music and playing the drums and guitar. Gerald loved his family and friends and playing horseshoes and darts. He was a Harley Davidson enthusiast. He worked as a long-distance truck driver.

He is survived by his father, George Gifford of Port Charlotte, FL; five sons, Gerald Gifford of Middleboro, Joshua Gifford of West Wareham, Andrew Gifford, Nicholas Strawn, and Nathan Strawn all of Wareham; three brothers, Glen Gifford and his wife Lee of Wareham, George “Butch” Gifford and his wife Mary of Goffstown, NH, and Greg Gifford and his wife, Nicola of Wailuku, HI; two sisters, Joanne Stephenson and her husband David of Jacksonville, NC and Julie Franklin and her husband George of West Wareham; two grandchildren, Abigail and Joshua; numerous nieces and nephews.

His funeral will be held at 9 a.m. on Saturday, November 12 from the Chapman, Cole & Gleason Funeral Home, 2599 Cranberry Hwy., Wareham, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 a.m. in St. Patrick’s Church, 82 High Street. Burial will follow in St. Patrick’s Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers the family asks for memorial donations to be made to the American Cancer Society, 2202 Wrightsville Ave., Suite 111, Wilmington, NC 28403.

For directions and online guestbook, visit: www.ccgfuneralhome.com.