Joseph John “Jack” Gerrity, 81, of Clearwater, FL died Tuesday, April 1, 2008.
Mr.Gerrity was born Dec 19, 1926, in Archibald, PA to Michael and Mildred Gerrity. He grew up in the Scranton, PA area, graduated from Scott Township High School in 1944 and attended Scranton University where he played basketball on scholarship. He served his country during WWII in the Phillipines from 1945-1947 as a Military Policeman. After serving his country, he graduated from East Stroudsburg State Teachers College in 1951. In 1952 he began a thirty-seven year career as an educator and coach at Bernards High School in Bernardsville, N.J. He taught physical education and math and was the head baseball coach for sixteen years until 1968. He received his Masters Degree in Guidance from Keene College, N.J., then served as a guidance counselor for twenty years until his retirement in 1988. He also spent numerous hours teaching Drivers Education to hundreds of students over his thirty-seven year career.
After retirement he and his loving wife of 56 years, Joanne Gerrity relocated to Naples FL where they enjoyed their golden years playing golf and spending time with their many friends. He is also survived by his sister Irene Von Storch and her husband Carl of Fayetteville, N.Y. He was a loving father and grandfather to daughter Kathy Farrell and her husband Gary of Indian Rocks Beach, FL; son Michael Gerrity and his wife Deborah of Huntsville, AL; son Patrick Gerrity and his wife Kathleen of Basking Ridge, N.J.; and five grandchildren Denise Gerrity, Robert Gerrity, Ryan Gerrity, Matthew Gerrity, and Meghan Gerrity. Jack and Joanne moved to Clearwater in July 2007.
Funeral services will be held at the Bay Pines Veterans’ Center on Friday April 11, at 10:45.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Hospice of the Florida Suncoast or to a charity of your choice.
Arrangements entrusted to Veterans Funeral Care, 15381 Roosevelt Blvd. Clearwater, FL 33760.
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See you later, Dad. Love you.
I LOVE AND MISS YOU, POP-POP! WE’LL BE WITH YOU SOON!
Love, Denise
The greatest dad a son could ask for. Mr. Wonderful, that’s you. I’ll miss you and cherish the memories forever.
We send our love to all of the Gerrity’s. Our families have shared so many memories over the years. Those memories are filled with lots of love and laughter. We pray for your peace and hope your memories of all the good times will comfort you.
Love,Bruce and Rae
Dear Mrs Gerrity, Kathy, Mike and Pat,
I am so sorry for your loss. Mr. Gerrity was such a great neighbor for so many years and the entire Gerrity family is a part of my “youth.” May your memories bring you peace and comfort.
Love, Joanne Casnocha Hudson
Kathy, I am so very sorry that your Dad passed, but also that he didn’t have to put up with his symptoms of feeling so lousy for very long. I’m here; would love to help if I can. I’m just around th corner.. My thoughts are with you and your Mom.
Love, Sherry
I met Jack at Christmas time and enjoyed his jokes.
He was a great guy!
I’m so glad I had the opportunity to meet him.
My condolences to Kathy and her mom.
God Bless Jack’s family and friends.
DEAR KATHYandGARY MOM AND ALL THE GERRITY FAMILY I AM SO SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS I’M GRATEFUL I WAS ABLE TO SPEND SOME TIME WITH JACK. I WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER HIS GIGGLE. THANK YOU FOR SHARING HIM WITH ME. LOVE YOU MARY
Our thoughts and Prayers are with you and your family at this difficult time. May God Bless you all
Peace be with you.
So sad to hear the news of the passing of Coach. We first met when I was a freshman at BHS. I loved playing for him on the baseball team. Our friendship lasted through our later work on the BHS hall of fame and stretched for 46 years. He was a great guy. My condolences to the Gerrity family.
“K”
I did not know your Dad that long but the most memorable and fun was the night we where all at the Schaffer’s at Christmas sitting there in our silly conversation with all the laughs around the table. So many things we had talked about. Time will soften the hurt memories will last the rest of your lifetime.
Our prayers and deepest sympathy are with you, Mom and your family.
I have very fond remembrances of Coach Gerrity from the time I was in elementary school. He offered a Saturday morning YMCA program at Oak Street School in Basking Ridge. In fact, his son Mike, was among the other kids in that program. As a 1969 graduate of Bernards High, I knew him as a guidance counselor and baseball coach. I just happened to see the obituary in the online edition of the Bernardsville News and was surprised to learn he and his wife had recently relocated to the Tampa Bay area where I live. “Jack” was a great guy and a dedicated educator who obviously left a great impression. My condolences to his family.
Pat Mike and Family,
It was with deep regret we learned of your father’s passing. In all the years that we knew him he was the most gentle and caring person we have ever met. Always smiling. He always would talk to me about how proud he was of you boys. He will be missed.
I am deeply sorry I didn’t have the opportunity to talk to him about the “Old Days in B’ville” before he passed.
Our condolences to your mother.
He will always remain in our prayers.
Kindest Regards.
Lefty and Robbie Ward formerly from Bernardsville
Seeing that picture of Uncle Jack brings a smile to my face and a tear to my eye. As saddened as I was to hear that he passed away, itâ??s good to know he has a great cast of characters â?? Mr. Billings, my father and many more â?? to reunite with up above. I offer my sincerest condolences.
Love,
Mike
Dear Dad,
We had your buriel on Monday and you would be proud. It was a great celebration of your life with family and friends that are family.
I miss you so very much, not just as my father but my “best friend”!
God Bless Dad, and make sure you eat all your vegetables!!!
Love You,
Pat