Geremia (Jerry) Venditti was born on October 12, 1930, in Bristol, Connecticut. He was a first-generation son of Italian immigrants, the late Antonio Venditti, and Ida (Parenti) Venditti. His mother died when he was only six years old and Jerry, his sister Angie, and their father joined the Parenti in-law household where he was doted on by his grandparents and a host of aunts and uncles.

In his youth, Jerry was a regular fixture at the Bristol Boys and Girls Club where he learned to play sports. He also developed his lifelong love of fly-fishing at the Bristol Sportsmen’s Club, learning to cast on the Connecticut rivers. He attended Bristol schools including South Side Elementary and Bristol High where he played varsity baseball and basketball. It was at Muzzy Park baseball field that he caught the eye of his future wife Barbara Carucci who would sneak over after school to watch batting practice with her girlfriend. Barbara’s friend and neighbor Dominick was on the team and knew about her crush, so he urged Jerry to ask her out. As the story goes, Jerry protested that “Barbara wore braces” to which Dominick replied “Jerry, the braces will come off”. Thus began a 73-year relationship, which Jerry told everybody was the smartest thing he ever did.

Jerry graduated from the University of Connecticut in 1954 with a bachelor’s degree in History. With his new wife Barbara by his side, he began a Hawaiian adventure serving as a First Lieutenant in the USMC stationed at Kaneohe Bay during the Korean War era where their first child was born. His USMC officer training in Quantico and subsequent 4-year period of military service, including family friendships that have lasted decades, became a defining feature of his life (Semper Fi). Jerry began his post-military career in the air conditioning and heating (HVAC) industry, working for American Standard, beginning in sales, and rising to National Sales Manager. He held various positions with the York Division of Borg Warner, Tappan, Janitrol, Armstrong Magic Chef, Luxaire, and finished his HVAC career at York International/Johnson Controls. Jerry and Barbara and their three children moved often for his career, residing in the suburbs of Philadelphia, Chicago, Cleveland, Columbus and in York, Pennsylvania. Jerry “retired” in 1998 and began a second career in the Executive Search industry starting his own company, Venditti Search Associates, which he continued well into his eighties even after he relocated to his final home in Fernandina Beach, Florida.

Jerry was able to enjoy many domestic and international travels with his wife. He loved golfing, fly fishing, the New York Yankees, and reading and talking about history, politics, and economics with a glass of vodka or bourbon in hand. He became an avid swimmer in later life and looked forward to his daily laps, which he liked to count by naming the US presidents. He relished his time in the pools at the Jewish Community Center in York, Pennsylvania and at the MacArthur Family YMCA of Fernandina Beach, Florida. Wherever he travelled, Jerry was ever the gregarious salesman, with stories to tell and new friends to make.

Jerry leaves behind his loving wife of 67 years (73 if counting from the first date) Barbara (Carucci) Venditti, a daughter Elizabeth Venditti and her husband, Ed Wolf of Pittsburgh, PA, son Paul Venditti and his wife Priscila Gerardi, and son Joel Venditti, of Fernandina Beach, Fla. He is also survived by his sister Angelina (Cistulli) Venditti, sister-in-law Susan (Cyr) Carucci, wife of the late Michael Carucci, and his nephews Patrick and Mark Cistulli, and niece Karen Cerasoli. He was adored as “Grandpa JV” by his grandchildren Nicholas Madonia, Camille Madonia, Sophia Venditti, Nicolas Venditti, Cassandra St. Hart Venditti, and Zatha Venditti—all of whom were able to spend one happy final Christmastime with him. Jerry also leaves behind many extended family members and friends, and many grand pets. He loved to talk to and talk about all of them to the very end of his life. Jerry delighted in each of his children and grandchildren’s accomplishments whether they were in academics, business, art, sports, music, theater, or dance. Jerry considered himself a fortunate man, with the cornerstone being his choice of Barbara as a life-long companion. The family is grateful for the caregiving provided by Best Friends Care Solutions during his last two years struggling with physical pain and dementia, and by the Warner Center Community hospice in his final precious days.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to the York Jewish Community Center (https://yorkjcc.org) or the MacArthur Family YMCA (https://fcymca.org/donate/). There will be a funeral mass at St. Michael’s Church in Fernandina Beach on Tuesday, January 4 at 11 am. Due to Covid, the family respectfully requests that those attending the mass stay masked during the service. There will be no prior funeral home visitation and no reception after the service. However, the family will remain outside the church afterwards to greet visitors. Jerry will be laid to rest in St. Joseph’s Cemetery in Bristol, Connecticut at a later date.

OXLEY-HEARD FUNERAL DIRECTORS