Captain Gerald Francis Deconto

Gerald F. DeConto, 44

was Navy captain, Mass. native

By Globe Staff, 9/21/2001

Navy Captain Gerald F. DeConto of Alexandria, Va., was killed during the terrorist attack on the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., on Sept. 11. He was 44.

Captain DeConto was born in Halifax. He graduated from Sandwich High School in 1975, where he was an outstanding soccer and basketball player. He was also active in the Boy Scouts.

In 1979, he graduated from the US Naval Academy with a bachelor's degree in physics. Upon receiving his commission, he attended the Surface Warfare Officer School in San Diego before reporting to the USS Excel as a damage control assistant.

From 1982 to 1984, he served on the USS Fresno as an operations officer. He earned a master's of science degree in mechanical engineering from the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, Calif., in 1986. He was assigned to the USS Hewitt, where he served as chief engineer from December 1986 to July 1989.

He also served as executive officer of the USS Lake Erie and commanding officer of the USS Simpson. He also was chief of staff for Standing Naval Force Mediterranean from April 2000 to May 2001.

Captain DeConto was assigned as director of current operations and plans branch for the Navy Command Center at the Pentagon in June 2001.

In addition to his extensive Navy activities, Captain DeConto enjoyed spending time with his family and friends, sailing, biking, shellfishing, skiing, and running with his dogs.

He leaves his mother, Patricia L. of Sandwich; two sisters, Dale K. Choate of Mashpee and Marie DeConto-Thomas of Forestdale; and two brothers, David J. of Sandwich and Raymond E. of East Lynne, Conn.

A memorial Mass will be said at Corpus Christi Catholic Church in Sandwich at noon on Sept. 29. Burial will be at a later date at Arlington National Cemetery in Washington.



Editorial Obituary published in THE BOSTON GLOBE on September 21, 2001.