BANCROFT, GERALD C. Gerald C. Bancroft Jr. (Butch), 57, passed away unexpectedly on March 8, 2008. Jerry was born in Hartford, the son of Ruth (Pomeroy) Bancroft of East Windsor and the late Gerald C. Bancroft Sr. He was a longtime resident of East Windsor until moving to South Windsor in the 1980's. Gerald graduated from East Windsor High School in 1968. Jerry was a retired Bradley International Airport Firefighter and Paramedic having served for approximately 25 years. He dedicated his life to helping others in their times of need and crisis. He was so proud when both of his sons followed in his footsteps and became firefighters in the City of Hartford. He was a retired lieutenant and honorary member of the Broad Brook Fire Department in Broad Brook. Jerry was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed fishing and every summer he took annual fishing trips to upstate New York with Dennis and the boys. He looked forward to every summer when he and Donna would spend many weeks relaxing in Pecks Islands, ME. In recent years, he enjoyed taking photographs of all his family and friends. Jerry was a loving son, father and grandfather and he will be missed, loved and remembered by so many for his big smile and loud laugh. Jerry is survived by his proudest achievements, his two sons Gerald C. Bancroft III and his wife Amy; James R. Bancroft and his wife Jaime of Broad Brook; his long time love and fiancée Donna Healy of South Windsor. One of Jerry's greatest joys was being a proud grandfather to his only granddaughter Allison Bancroft, and his uncle Fred Pomeroy of East Windsor. He enjoyed every minute with his family which included many aunts, uncles and cousins. His loving extended family included: his "brothers" Dennis Soucy, Jack Rauschenbach and Richard Pippin of Broad Brook, James Shea of Windsor and Richard Pardi of Florida. A funeral service will be held on Thursday, (March 13) at 10 a.m. at the First Congregational Church of East Windsor, 124 Scantic Road. Committal will follow in Scantic Cemetery. Family and friends may gather on Wednesday evening (March 12) from 5-8 p.m. at the Bassinger & Dowd Funeral Home, 37 Gardner St., East Windsor. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Jerry's memory donations can be made to The Broad Brook Fire Department 125 Main St., Broad Brook, CT 06016.