Gerald Patrick Fanning of Lakeland, Florida and formerly of Hampton Bays, L.I. died on August 18, 2019 at the age of 85.

Retired Detective with the Suffolk County Police Department.

The family will receive friends on Monday, October 21st from 4-7 p.m. at the R.J. O'Shea Funeral Home, 94 E. Montauk Highway, Hampton Bays, New York 11946.

The Liturgy of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, October 22, 2019 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Rosalie's Roman Catholic Church, 31 E. Montauk Highway, Hampton Bays, New York 11946.

Interment, with Military Honors, will follow at Sacred Hearts of Jesus & Mary R.C. Cemetery, 231 County Road 39A, Southampton, New York 11968.

Obituary

Gerald Patrick Fanning, formerly of Southampton, died on Sunday, August 18, 2019 in Lakeland, Florida.

Mr. Fanning was born on December 2, 1933, in Southampton Hospital where he was crowned "King of the Hospital" to Howard and Margaret (Malone) Fanning. He attended Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary School and Southampton High School. He was raised on the Fanning Farm formerly located on Hampton Road, along with his 5 brothers and 6 sisters.

After fulfilling his service in the United States Army, he returned to Southampton where he joined the Suffolk County Police Department in its early stages in 1964 and grew to the rank of detective, first with the 7th Precinct in Southampton Village and later with the 3rd Precinct, Bay Shore and Yaphank Headquarters. He retired in 1988 after 25 years of service.

After retirement, his love was pulling his fifth-wheel around the country and more importantly, onto the beach at Shinnecock Inlet to enjoy weekends with his family, friends and grandchildren. That coupled with his love of attending NASCAR races and spending time with his grandchildren made his retirement enjoyable.

He was predeceased by five brothers and four sisters. He is survived by his sister, Margaret Ann Andrews (Fanning), son, William Fanning (Yvonne) and three daughters, Deborah Fanning, Geraldine Fanning-Knotoff and Kathleen Hileman (Harold) as well as seven grandchildren and one great-grandchild. He is also survived by his partner, Nancy Dickerson, and her two children, David Dickerson (Rita) and Deanna Dickerson Masters (Keith) as well as many nieces and nephews.

Family will receive visitors at the R. J. O'Shea Funeral Home, Hampton Bays on Monday, October 21st from 4-7 p.m. A memorial Mass will be held on October 22, 2019 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Rosalie's Church in Hampton Bays followed by internment at Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary Cemetery, Southampton.

Memorial contributions may be to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis Tennessee, 38105; or in honor of his goddaughter, Theresa Hunter (Fanning), to Southampton Volunteer Ambulance, Inc., P.O. Box 2760, Southampton, NY, 11969.