THOMASTON — Jerry Allen Call, 70, of South Thomaston, died July 26, 2015, at Penobscot Bay Medical Center following complications of his bad "ticker."

He was born July 20, 1945, in Portland. He was the son of Robert A. and Barbara (Batchelder) Call.

Jerry graduated from Rockland District High School in 1963. He continued his education at Northeastern University, earning a Bachelor of Science in engineering in 1968, and in 1985, he received his Master of Business Administration from the University of Maine at Orono. Jerry was in ROTC and served in the United States Army from 1968-1975. He was stationed in many places around the world, most notably Germany and Vietnam. He earned the Bronze Star, Vietnam Honor Medal first class and honorably completed his military service as captain. He was an assistant professor of military science at Lafayette College in 1975-1976.

Following Jerry's many years in retail, including working with his family's locally owned business, D.R. Call & Sons Trustworthy Hardware Store, he returned to his life calling as a private construction contractor. He later specialized in tiling and bathroom renovations.

He was a co-founder of Midcoast Healthcare Reform and for years tirelessly campaigned for the "Medicare for All" bill. In Washington, D.C., on May 2009, he was arrested for protesting at a Senate Finance Committee hearing on health care reform and became known as one of the Baucus 13.

Jerry enjoyed traveling, and inevitably, there would be a story involving some misadventure. He enjoyed beating Jack at pool, games of cribbage, and cooking for family and friends, at the home he built and the family house in Spruce Head.

He leaves behind his son, Adam Call of Phoenix, Ariz.; his daughter, Susannah Jenks and her husband, Anthony, of Coatesville, Pa.; his brother, Jon Call of Santorini, Greece; his sister, Cindy Gelinas and her husband, Ron, of Farmington; his grandchildren, Luke Call and Alex, Hannah, Henry Jenks; his nieces, Heather Call of Athens, Greece, and Brianna Gelinas of New York City; his former wife, Ann Call of Unionville, Pa.; and many cousins and dear friends.

A celebration of Jerry's life will be held Saturday, Sept. 19 at 11 a.m. at Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock St. in Rockland.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to either South Thomaston Ambulance Service, P.O. Box 147, South Thomaston, ME 04858 or Coastal Children's Museum, 75 Mechanic Street, Rockland, ME 04841.