Gerald W. Sweeney, 73, of Abington passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, January 16, 2022.  Prior to moving to Abington in 2017, he lived in Braintree for 46 years.  He was born and raised in South Boston and graduated from Boston Trade High School and later earned his B.S. in Marketing from Stonehill College.  He worked his entire career in the footwear industry retiring from New Balance in 2019 after 33 years.  He also served in the Army National Guard for 25 years, earning the rank of Major, before retiring in 1988.  He loved to travel and was fortunate enough to see many different parts of the world through vacations and business trips.  He was an avid football fan having been a season ticket holder for the Patriots for the past 30 years.  He was actively involved in youth sports having coached many of his children's teams. He loved spending time with his family, especially his seven grandchildren and two great grandchildren.  For the past 6 years he spent the winters at his residence in Longboat Key, FL where he enjoyed nothing more than watching a beautiful sunset at the beach with family and friends enjoying a chilled glass of Jameson with an extra glass of ice.   He is survived by his loving wife of 52 years, Janet (Albanese) and their four children, Kathie Ballerini and her husband Mike of Halifax, Christine Sweeney and Timothy and his wife Lauren both of Abington and Gerald II and his wife Rachel of Braintree.  He is also survived by his siblings, Robert Sweeney and his wife Doreen, Ethel Keane and her husband Jeffrey and Nora Andersen and her husband Eric all of Braintree; and 17 nieces and nephews.  He joins his parents William and Ethel (Garten) and brother William II in eternal rest.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made in memory of Gerald to: Marisa's Mission, Inc. P.O. Box 850061, Braintree, MA 02185 or Hospice of the South Shore, 30 Reservoir Park Drive, Rockland, MA 02370.

Visitation on Thursday Jan 20 from 4-8 PM at Quealy and Son Funeral Home. A funeral mass on Friday January 21 at 10:30 AM at St Bridget's Church Abington. Interment to follow at Blue Hill Cemetery