Gerard F. Scanlan

Gerard Francis Scanlan, 85, of Westford, Massachusetts, passed away on Sunday, February 8, 2026, surrounded by people who love him. He always said it was better to wear out than to rust out.

Gerry was a veteran, a farmer, a fisherman, an engineer…even in his 80’s, he’d say he still didn’t know what he wanted to be when he grew up. His most important job was being a steady husband to his beloved wife, Judy, who welcomed him home on Sunday morning, and a loving father to his five children: Jenny, Vicky, Matthew, Katie and Luke. He encouraged us to make our own mistakes, but advised us not to advertise them.

He began life as a city boy in Somerville. Orphaned by his father at the age of six, he was an only child raised by a single mother, Anna, and doted on by his grandmother “The Boss” and his aunts, especially Kathryn and Evelyn. They spoiled him rotten and he knew it, but he gladly repaid their kindness by caring for them into their old age. He split summers between Westford and West Hyannisport - fishing, digging clams and catching blue crabs - a self-proclaimed ‘old crab’ himself. The ocean brought him peace.

He moved to Westford full time in 1970, and out of the wilderness he carved Scanlan Farm. Dad had the vision to see the land for what it could be, but also the knowledge and skill to bring his vision to life. He worked so hard and carried so much. Despite the apple orchards he kept, he didn’t eat many apples, save for one or two a year off a Red Delicious tree his father had planted. He valued his history. He didn’t get to know his own father very well, but we got to know our dad and he knew us.

Having been raised by strong women, it was no surprise that he married one, our mom. They built their house on the Farm with their own hands where they spent their lives together. She loved him and he loved her, it was that simple. He thought of her every day since her passing and they are together again.

He was a man of strong opinions and you never had to wonder what he was thinking, or whispering. He enjoyed a good game of Rummy and wore a grin ear to ear when he won. In victory or defeat, he would suggest we play “one more hand for the Championship” to give everyone another chance.

He constantly looked to the horizon for a new project, the coming seasons, and the next challenge. A strong believer that you couldn’t hit a moving target, he kept busy, kept puttering. Even when he tried to have a “small garden” in recent years, he would get carried away and wind up with more vegetables than he’d had the year before. He made time to plant flowers, too. Gerry made the world a more beautiful place.

There was a twinkle in his blue eyes and our world is dimmer now that they have closed. We’d do anything to play one more hand for the championship with you, Dad. Happy trails.

Family and friends are invited to Gerry’s visitation on Friday, February 13, 2026 from 4 until 7 PM at the WESTFORD HEALY FUNERAL HOME, 57 N Main Street, Westford. His Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday at 10 AM in St. Irene’s Catholic Church, Carlisle. Burial to follow in Green Cemetery, Carlisle. In lieu of sending flowers, please plant some of your own. This year he said he wanted a big garden.