Gerald M. Ridge, businessman, entrepreneur, philanthropist, and former Boston policeman, died peacefully at his home in Duxbury on January 31 at the age of 85 surrounded by his loving family and loyal caregivers. Gerry was born and raised in South Boston, an enduring connection that remained important to him his entire life. He was the seventh of ten children. He attended parochial grade school in South Boston and graduated from South Boston High School. In 1946, Gerry enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and served fifteen months in China before being honorably discharged in 1948. Upon his return, he worked for four years for the City of Boston during Mayor James M. Curley's administration. Gerry joined the Boston Police Department in 1952, serving five years under Police Commissioner Tom Sullivan.

A respected and successful business leader in the greater South Shore community, Gerry became involved in the banking industry in the early 1970s. He was a Director at the Milton Bank and Trust and later served as President and Chairman of Board at USTrust / UST Corporation. He was a member of The Clover Club of Boston for 40 years, serving as its President during the 1990's and was a longtime member of the Wollaston Golf Club.

Gerry was an insightful and creative entrepreneur. He purchased Blue Hill Cemetery in Braintree and in 1965 built Ridge Arena, recognized statewide as one of the first and best arenas at the time. In 1980, he converted the arena into the Ridge Racquet Club. Gerry later developed a function and events center, Top of the Ridge, and a travel agency, Classic Tours by Ridge. His final project, Blue Hill Crematory, was completed in December 2014.

Gerry was a selfless and longtime supporter of numerous charitable organizations including Catholic Charities, the Irish American Partnership, the Laboure' Center, Marian Manor, the Paraclete Center, Cops for Kids with Cancer and the Francis Ouimet Society, to name a few. In the mid-1980s, he founded the Boston Police Athletic League which he chaired and directed for twenty-five years. During that time, PAL donated in excess of five million dollars to the City of Boston specifically for youth programs. In 2008, Gerry founded a non-profit organization, the Ridge Charitable Trust, with the objective of continuing his work with the Boston Police Department and its at-risk youth programs in the City of Boston in addition to creating and sponsoring educational and athletic programming. Gerry's desire of giving back and always helping people in need was nourished by his South Boston roots, the love he had for his family, the faith he had in his church, and the pride he had in his community.

Mr. Ridge is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Anne (Meehan) Ridge; his devoted children, Geranne Ridge of Boston, Gerald M. Ridge, Jr. and his wife Mary (Wallace) of Braintree and Jennifer Ridge Kola and her husband Eero of Braintree; his sister, Dorothea McDonough of South Boston; his grandchildren, Ian Kola, Jori Kola, Gerald M. Ridge III, Olivia Ridge, and Conor Ridge and many nieces, nephews and dedicated employees and loyal caregivers.

Visiting hours will be held at the MacDonald Funeral Home 1755 Ocean Street, Marshfield on Tuesday February 3, 2015 from 4:00 to 8:00 PM A Funeral Mass will be held on Wednesday in the Holy Family Church, 601 Tremont St. Duxbury at 11:00 a.m. Interment will be in the Blue Hill Cemetery, Braintree, MA. The family requests donations in Gerry's memory be made to Cops for Kids with Cancer, P.O. Box 850956, Braintree, MA 02185. For online guestbook and directions please visit our website, macdonaldfuneralhome.com