Gerard Splaine II, 48, passed away Friday, Dec. 5, 2008, at St. Patrick's Hospital in Missoula after a short illness. Gerard was born Nov. 15, 1960, in Bethpage, N.Y., to Gerard and Mary Splaine. He had one sister, Helene. He grew up in Farmingdale, N.Y., where he made many friends and many good memories.

He served his country in the U.S. Army, where he made more good friends and good memories.

He and his wife, Sherry Lee, were married in 1991 and moved to Montana in 1994.

In Kalispell since 1997, he worked at Midway Rental.

In Montana, Jerry followed his life's pattern and made many good friends and memories. Although he loved many things, he especially loved his Irish heritage and Irish music, and he was a very loud breath of fresh air wherever he went.

Jerry was preceded in death by his father, Gerard Splaine; nephew, Frank; and his mother-in-law, Ruth Biondi.

He is survived by his wife, Sherry Lee Splaine; mother, Mary Splaine; sister, Helene, and husband, J.D. McWilliams; niece, Debora, and husband, Jodi Janis; nephews, Ben Mc Williams, and Ian and wife, Brooke McWilliams; and by all his friends too numerous to list.

Private memorial services will be held in Kalispell, New York and Texas.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the American Cancer Society or to the St. Patrick House at St. Patrick's Hospital in Missoula. And please, in Jerry's memory, if you smoke, quit.

Buffalo Hill Funeral Home is caring for the family. Friends are encouraged to visit the Web site at www.buffalohillfh.com to leave a condolence for the family.