Condolence: How do you do justice to a long life, how do you try to touch on all he was to so many of us? I don't know but I will try.
Jerry was born Gennarino on 11/21/1918. It was not until high school that he changed his name to Jerry. He was from humble beginnings, having been born in a cold water flat. His mother put bricks in the oven and heated them, wrapped them in a towel and put them at the foot of his bed to keep him warm. His parents Rose and Angelo had five children. Jerry's siblings were Albert, John, Florence and Evelyn.
Jerry pursued the girl who would become his wife. Angie Iannacone was actually dating someone else when he decided she was the one for him. They were married on 10/23/1940 at St. Francis Church on 7th Street in Newark. The union produced 6 children: Jerald, Angelo (B0), Sandra, Rosalie, Deborah and Loretta. They had 11 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren.
Jerry was an avid reader and somewhat addicted to cross-word puzzles. The amazing thing about this is that he was able to do these things while legally blind in one eye. He could not get in the military service due to his blindness so he memorized the eye chart. That's right, he cheated to get into the National Guard where in spite of his eye condition he became a marks-man.
Jerry's passion was fishing. When Jerald and Bo were kids he took them, along with their cousins and numerous neighborhood kids fishing and camping. He was the Pied Piper of Waldo Avenue. He continued to do these activities when the family moved to Lakewood Terrace. He took all the boys fishing but when his oldest granddaughter asked if he would take her, he told her "ok, but you have to bait you own hook."
He was a girl's softball coach. His team consisted mostly of his own family. He was a tough coach, he made the girls cry. Always a good swimmer, he taught at least two of his great grandchildren to dive while he was about 80. He had the privilege of walking one of his granddaughters down the aisle at her wedding.
Jerry was opinionated. You could not win an argument with him. When he knew he was losing the debate he would frustrate you by saying, "well, that's my opinion."
When Angie died 10 years ago he was lonely and wanted a dog. He wanted to name her Angie, not out of disrespect but because he wanted to hear and say her name. Some of the family members, myself included, refused to call her "Angie" instead calling her FiFi or GiGi. The poor dog had no idea what her name was.
Jerry had stomach problems caused by dysentery which he got while in the National Guard. He told everyone that he watched what he ate but this was not so. This past week he had not felt well but on Tuesday he asked Sandra to get him some cold cuts. He wanted prosciutto, provolone and hard salami. Loretta reminded him about his stomach not feeling well asked him why he would want to eat that. He told her "I don't tell you what to eat, don't tell me what to eat".
Jerry's dear friend Carmine taught him an Italian good-by. This salutation soon was used by his children. So I close this tribute to a wonderful Father, Father-in-law, Grandfather, Great grandfather and friend by writing "giuvaden".

Condolence: I was very sad to hear that my Uncle Jerry passed away.
Many of my favorite childhood memories were made at my Aunt Angie's and Uncle Jerry's house's on Waldo Ave. and Lakewood Terrace. You never needed an invite, the door was was always open. And if you wanted to stay a few days or weeks, that was fine too. It was home away from home for me.
There are just too many memories to list, but some of my favorites are the many trips in the "Fishmobile" to Two Guys with my Uncle and the Monday "Soup Nights" that I shared with them for so so long.
It is so sad to know that they have all passed now....The 5 sisters and their husbands. It is comforting to know that they are now all together. The circle is complete. They taught us well, and gave us so much. Let us pray that what they have taught us about the meaning of "family" will stay instilled in us and always remain in our hearts. Let us pass those wonderful traditions and values to all of our children and grandchildren. This way, their lives live on.
Rest in peace Uncle Jerry.....you will be missed.

Love,
Marian

Condolence: I have been overwhelmed with such a deep sense of loss since the morning of July 11th, 2013. It is with a heavy heart that I am unable to be with all of you, to share,comfort and love in our great loss of Grandpa Jerry. We have lost our Patriarch, our father, our grandfather and our great grandfather but his heritage and legacy lives on in each of us.
I love you Grandpa and will keep you in my heart always.
Your Oldest Grandchild,
Karla