Jerry Wilson died unexpectedly on Sunday, September 20, two days after his 56th birthday, in the Blue Mountain Lake region of the Adirondacks. A member of the Magoun Bros antiques team, he was with Jon Magoun and others taking part in the Antiques Show and Sale at the Adirondack Museum.

A man of many talents, “Jerry Wilson, Gardener” was lettered on the side of his large truck, and that said it all. He was hailed far and wide for his gardening techniques and knowledge and was called by some nurserymen “a walking encyclopedia” when it came to knowing and caring for plants, shrubs and trees.

After graduating from Paul Smith College, he owned and operated greenhouses on Long Island for many years, providing cut flowers for shops in New York City. He also did window displays for some of the major department stores in the city. After giving up his retail businesses, he developed and maintained many private gardens, mostly in the Hamptons, as well as throughout parts of New York State and Connecticut. His gardening talents are reflected in The Pleasance in Newtown, Conn., where he worked part-time for the past six years.

Adirondack and rustic material was his second love and he spent hours scouring the auction ads for objects on which to bid. He also exhibited at antiques shows from Nashville, Tenn., to New Hampshire with Jon Magoun, often taking tons of tools from his truck to make room for his inventory. And his truck, outfitted to carry a boat on top, seldom left his driveway without his constant companion, Gus, a large, black Bouvier.

“Jerry was a great guy, knowledgeable and ready to do anything for you. He was just the best friend type, and one can’t ask for more than that,” longtime friend Jon Magoun said. “We were together for over 15 years during which time we did lots of shows, lugged around hundreds of boats and canoes, and had great fun doing it. His passing was one of the saddest days of my life,” he said.

Jerry is survived by his wife, Robin, his mother, Mary Feeney of Brooklyn, and his brother and sister-in-law, Jack and Karen Wilson of Long Island. A private service was followed by cremation, the ashes to be spread at the home he loved and was restoring in Vermont. A memorial service is planned for the future, date to be announced.