Obituary of Gerard J Siccardi Sr.

Siccardi, Gerard J. Sr., age 102 of Stratford at rest in Meriden on February 9, 2023. Jerry is survived by his daughters Judith Waldeyer, of Stratford, CT; and Louise (Steve) Guszick of Clifford Township, PA; son Gerard (Michele) J. Siccardi Jr. of Paterson, New Jersey; stepdaughters Andrea (Bill) Rodia of Phoenix, AZ, Lisa (David) Haliczer, of Tualatin, OR, his Grandsons Stephen (Alexis) Guszick, and Michael Guszick, Granddaughter Rachel (Griffin) Baker of Phoenix, AZ, and great-grandchildren Victoria, Max, Stephen IV, Brooklyn Grace, and Nora Jean. Jerry loved life, and all those who made his life an adventure as he smiled through 102+ years.

Jerry loved to dance. He met his first wife, Iole at a Dance at the Dover Club, Paterson, and danced with his second wife, Grace at the Elks Club in Hasbrouck Heights, NJ. Jerry spent his last four years with his daughter Judy, in Oronoque Village, Stratford, where he was often the last one on the dance floor, during many social events. He loved to travel, but later in life enjoyed the company of his friends at the Memory Workshop at Jewish Senior Services in Fairfield, CT, and the Stratford Baldwin Center Men's Club, Connecticut.

During down time, he loved his Word Search puzzles, which he meticulously worked on daily, and the walks he took in his "red wagon" walker, which he used to walk to the corner and sit to wave to neighbors. He often came home with books, goodies, and stories from neighbors and passers-by who stopped and chatted with him.

During Covid, Jerry helped Judy make over 700 cloth masks which he helped iron and sew to hand out to those who needed them. His motto was "Keep busy!"

He proudly served his country during World War II as a Technical Sergeant, and was effective in training for radar procedures. Many times, he would share stories of the Battle of the Bulge, his interactions with General George Patton, his work with radar during the war, and the map of the many miles he traveled in service to his country in war-torn Europe. Jerry was a proud American. He will be missed but never forgotten.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend the funeral from the Festa Memorial Funeral Home, 111 Union Blvd, Totowa, on Monday at 9:30 AM. Funeral Mass to follow at St. James RC Church, Totowa at 10:00 AM. Interment at Laurel Grove Memorial Park, Totowa. Friends may visit Sunday 4-8 PM. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Stratford War Museum, 5952 Main Street, Stratford, CT 06614.