Gerard O'Connell Joachim

Gerard (Jerry) O'Connell Joachim passed away suddenly on December 31, 2009 at the age of 54. He was born in Biloxi, the 17th of 20 children to Jack and Rose Joachim. Jerry graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi with a degree in marketing and was, most recently, General Manager of the Navy Exchange in Corpus Christi, Texas. He is preceded in death by his mother, Rose Lillian Navarro Joachim; a brother, Louis Joachim; a sister, Mary Elizabeth Joachim. He is survived by his wife of 31 years, Judy Fay Smith Joachim; his two sons, Jason Gerard Joachim of Corpus Christi, Texas and Jeremy Scott Joachim of Asheville, North Carolina; 12 sisters, Mary Martha Joachim Caruso and her husband Sam, Harriett Joachim Leckich and her husband Wayne, Georgette Joachim Mattina, Ann Joachim Blessing, Marilyn Joachim Gibson, Nancy Joachim Gollott, Jane Joachim Baxter and her husband George, Margaret Joachim Pepper and her husband David, Maria Joachim Pellegrino and her husband Frank, Marian Joachim Burdine, Mary Daniel Joachim Whittle and her husband Bill, and Patricia Joachim Creel and her husband Roland; his five brothers, John Joachim Sr. and his wife Liz, Bobby Joachim and his wife Kay, Joseph Joachim and his wife Ann, William Joachim and his wife Vickie, and Michael Joachim and his wife Jackie; countless nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts and uncles, many friends, and the members of his Navy family. Jerry was greatly admired by all, friends and acquaintances alike, and will always be remembered for his uplifting and humorous outlook and love of life. A Mass of Christian burial will be on Friday, January 8, 2010 at 1:00 pm at Nativity BVM. Friends may visit from 12:00 pm until mass time. Interment will follow in Southern Memorial Park. Contributions may be made in Jerry's honor to the Our Lady of Fatima Retired Priests' Fund or a charity of one's choice. Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Home, Howard Avenue, Biloxi is in charge of arrangements.