Joseph "Jerry" Gerardi

Joseph “Jerry” Gerardi, of Brevard, North Carolina peacefully passed away on February 2, 2025 at Cedar Mountain House shortly after suffering a stroke. He was 96 and his wife, Joan, and loving family were by his side. Jerry was born in Alexandria, VA on July 23, 1928 to Joseph and Marion Gerardi and grew up in Queens and Manhasset, NY. Jerry attended St. Mary’s grade school in Manhasset, graduated from Xavier High School in New York City and went on to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Aeronautical Engineering from the University of Notre Dame in 1950. 

He married Joan Berliner of Manhasset on Valentine’s Day in 1953 and moved their growing family to Northport, NY where they lived for over 30 years. Jerry worked for Grumman Aircraft Corp in Bethpage Long Island, and later for Grumman Aerospace, as a reliability engineer, eventually assigned to the Apollo Program Lunar Module which put the first man on the moon in 1969. Soon after he left Grumman he began a second career as an investment manager for his family and other clients, self-learning about the markets and real estate along the way. Jerry was a lifelong golf enthusiast, and he shot his age in his early eighties multiple times. 

He also was an avid sailor who skippered his sailboat Sojourn on cruises to ports on both sides of the Long Island Sound with his wife, Joan, as his “first mate”. In 1991 Jerry and Joan relocated to Connestee Falls in Brevard NC where Jerry continued to work from home for many more years. They made several trips to Europe and Alaska in their golden years. Jerry and Joan volunteered countless hours at Sharing House, a community support non-profit, and were members of Sacred Heart Church congregation. 

Jerry is survived by Joan, his wife of 71 years, his sister Marion of Port Washington NY, brothers George of Long Beach NY, James and Vincent of Manhattan, a daughter Virginia of Long Island NY, sons Richard (Lillian), Andrew (Carolyn) and Peter who reside in North Carolina, along with numerous nieces, nephews, grandchildren and great grandchildren. His eldest son Thomas and brother Eugene predeceased him. 

The family would like to extend heartfelt gratitude to the staff of Cedar Mountain House and Four Seasons Palliative and Hospice for their compassionate care for Jerry in his last days. 

A mass and reception celebrating Jerry’s life will be held at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Brevard North Carolina on Saturday, March 1, 2025 at 10:00 AM.