Former Rockland bus driver to be honored with one last ride around town

ROCKLAND, Mass. — For 37 years, Rockland students and athletes were blessed to have Gerry DeMeo as their school bus driver.

DeMeo passed away peacefully on December 14 at the age of 90.

On Wednesday, she’ll take one final ride around town in a big yellow school bus before being brought to her final resting place.

COVID-19 restrictions have prevented a large public visitation and funeral, so Magoun-Biggins Funeral Home chartered a school bus to escort DeMeo’s funeral procession through town in an effort to provide the community an opportunity to pay tribute to her.

The procession will weave through town and briefly stop at each of Rockland’s five schools.

DeMeo told people she had the best job in the world, according to her obituary. She celebrated every holiday by dressing in costumes for the children she drove. She was also known for taking her students to Butterfields Restaurant for ice cream on their last day of school. Even the dogs along her routes knew she always had treat for them.

“We hope that this will allow our Rockland neighbors the opportunity to stand somewhere along the route to wave to Gerry and her family as they pass,” the funeral home said in a post on Facebook.

“Gerry’s Last Bus Route” will depart the funeral home on Union Street December 23 at 10:15 a.m. The procession route is as follows:

-Right on Union Street

-Left on Mackinlay Way (pause in front of Rockland High School)

-Left on Taunton Avenue (pause in front of Rockland Middle School)

-Follow Taunton Avenue to the end (pause in front of Memorial Park School)

-Return up Taunton Avenue

-Right on Union Street

-Left on Market Street

-Right on Old Market Street

-Right on Durbeck Road

-Right on Brooks Road

-Right on Moncrief Road

-Right on Levin Road

-Cross Summer Street (pause in front of Esten School

-Right on Concord Street

-Right on Market Street

-Left turn into Jefferson School (pause)

-Left on George Street

-Left on Crescent Street

-Left on Union Street

-Right on Market Street

-Continue on Centre Avenue

The procession will end at the Holy Family Cemetery. The burial will be private. The funeral home said DeMeo is being buried in a custom school bus-themed casket designed by Rockland’s own Greg Cobb.

“As a town Rockland has always supported our neighbors in their time of need, please join us in celebrating one of Rockland’s best,” the funeral home said. “Gerry DeMeo was a Rockland treasure.”

Cox Media Group