Robert J. “Bob” Gerardi, 89, of Warren, PA, died Tuesday, October 10, 2017, at the John and Orpha Blair Hospice Residence following a brief illness. Born on June 2, 1928 in Warren PA, he was the son of the late Frank and Rose Lamanna Gerardi. Bob was a 1946 graduate of Warren High School and earned a degree in engineering from the University of Pennsylvania. He later earned his Master’s Degree in business from the University of Kansas. He was employed with General Electric Corp. and was promoted to vice president in 1981 and headed up the service and support division before retiring in 1992. Bob was a member of Holy Redeemer R.C. Church and a former member of Blessed Sacrament R.C. Church in Burlington, NC. He was a member of the Warren Moose Lodge and had served with the U.S. Army as a staff sergeant during the Korean Conflict. Bob is survived by his wife, Bette Gayle Scalise Gerardi, whom he married on July 9, 2005 in Warren, PA; 3 children – Donald Gerardi of Phoenix, AZ, Rebecca (Curtis) Nice of Indiana, and John Anthony Gerardi and his wife, Linda, of Grove City, OH; 2 stepsons – Fr. Scott Jabo of Erie, PA, and Steven Jabo and his wife, Allegra, of Arlington, VA; 2 grandchildren – Robert Nicholas Gerardi and Jessica Gerardi; and 2 step-grandchildren – Ella Scalise Jabo and Amelia Rose Jabo. In addition to his parents, Bob was preceded in death by his first wife, Gloria Christine Gerardi, and 1 brother – Joe Gerardi.
Friends will be received at the Donald E. Lewis Funeral Home, Inc., 304 East Street, Warren, PA, on Thursday, October 12, 2017, from 5pm to 8pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be conducted at Holy Redeemer R.C. Church, 11 Russell Street, Warren, PA, on Friday, October 13, 2017, at 11:00A.M., with Bob’s stepson, Fr. Scott Jabo, serving as main celebrant and Fr. James Gutting, Pastor, serving as concelebrant. Interment will be in St. Joseph R.C. Cemetery. Those wishing to place a memorial may do so through the Holy Redeemer Church Building Fund. E-mail condolences may be sent by visiting www.lewisfuneralhomeinc.com
Bette, we are saddened to hear of Bob’s passing. He had a huge smile for me every time I saw him. I know this is a difficult time. If there is anything I can do, please let me know. I consider you a dear friend and would love to help in any way. I remember how wonderful you both were when Mike was sick. You are a very special person and I wish you peace and solace. Please call.
As one of the ‘ Brits ‘ who joined the Evendale club in the mid 60’, I will always be grateful for the support that Bob gave us in those days of integrating….ALWAYS IN YOUR DEBT.
Tony,Linda,Becky,Curt, Mrs Gerardi and the rest of the family please know you all are in my thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. I rememer Bob as a very nice gentleman always with a smile on his face. He liked to tell his little stories when he would come visit Tony and Linda.I know he was loved by his family and will be terribly missed by them as well as others. Please accept my sincere sympathy to you all. Sincerely, Nita
So very sad that this kind, generous man has left us. But glad he suffers no more.
The things I got to do and the adventures I got to go on were largely due to Bob “The Father” Gerardi and I will be forever grateful. And to think it all began when I met Becky in summer school! Thank you, Bob for everything.
“My Deepest Condolences go out to the Gerardi family, I hope you find comfort in these words, “He will swallow up death forever,……And will wipe away the tears from all faces. Isaiah 25:8. Trust in Jehovah’s promise of the resurrection hope. jw.org
In my time at GE he was the finest man I ever worked for. Always a bit moody, but ALWAYS fair. He was an engineer, but he was also an expert financial manager. No one got his blessing on a program without a concise and well thought out financial impact.