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A lifelong educator, Gerald John Ackley, 90, of Lake Wales, FL, formerly of Salamanca, NY, and Rockledge, FL, died peacefully at his home on February 1, 2024 following a short illness.
Born October 24, 1933 in Salamanca, NY, he was the son of the late John and Helen Daly Ackley of Gowanda. He was married on December 28, 1995 to Joanne Campbell Ackley, who survives.
He was a 1951 graduate of Gowanda Central High School, and earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Agriculture at Cornell University in 1955. Following his graduation, he spent two years as an agriculture teacher at West Valley High School. During this time, he was a veteran of the United States Army Reserves for six years, finishing his active-duty service as a First Lieutenant. He earned his Master’s Degree in Educational Administration from Columbia University in 1958, and then spent two years as a sixth grade teacher in the Gowanda School System.
He left the classroom in 1961 to become Principal of Prospect Elementary School in Salamanca, leading the move to the new school building that opened shortly thereafter.
He spent a total of twenty-eight years in the Salamanca School System, eventually moving on to serve as Curriculum Coordinator for the district, and finally as Superintendent for thirteen years, retiring in 1989. He also served as an interim Superintendent of Schools in several Western New York districts in his retirement.
He was very active in numerous groups, many of the musical variety, including the Cornell University Glee Club, Kill Buck Chorus, and several barbershop quartets and choruses during his retirement years in Florida. He was a member of the former Salamanca United Methodist Church, and he also served a term as President of Section VI of the New York State Public High School Athletic Association in the early 1980s.
In addition to spending time with his family, he enjoyed sports, coached Little League baseball, hunting, playing bridge, and golf.
Surviving besides his wife are: a son, Brian (Lori) Ackley Fort Meade, FL; grandsons, Evan (Kelly) Ackley, Palm Coast, FL, Aaron (Maria) Ackley, Sanford, NC; a great-grandson, Beau Gerald Ackley, Sanford, NC; a daughter-in-law, Linda Ackley, Palm Coast, FL; three brothers, James, Harry, and Douglas; several nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased on August 26, 2023 by his son, Alan.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Marion Nelson Funeral Home, 454 South Buck Moore Road, Lake Wales, FL, and local arrangements are under the direction of O’Rourke & O’Rourke Inc. Funeral Home, 25 River Street, Salamanca, NY.
A Celebration of Life will be held at the convenience of the family and will be announced.
In lieu of flowers, donations will gratefully be accepted to the Salamanca School’s Gerald J. Ackley Memorial Scholarship Fund, Salamanca Central Schools, Attention: Karen Crandall, Business Office, 50 Iroquois Drive, Salamanca, NY 14779. Checks can be made out to the Salamanca Central School District with a notation that it is for the Ackley Scholarship Fund. A scholarship in his honor has been awarded annually since 1991 to a Salamanca graduate planning a career in education.
E-condolences can be sent to orourke.orourke fh@gmail.com or posted to facebook.com/onofh.
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