Girolomo Padova

Linda's "Arrivederci" (Till we meet again)
I promise you this will be brief as I can hear Jerry telling me to wrap up the funeral and start the party. So everyone is welcome to come to the house afterwards and the only stipulation will be that you have to put up with Jerry's 50s music. We will have another party in England either this summer or next summer.

I know that in the summer time in Cape Coral the attendance here will be sparse as most people are either out of state or out of the country so many will watch on video.

Born November 1939 in Brooklyn, New York. The year Hitler invaded Poland and Great Britain declared war on Germany or as Jerry likes to say when the dinosaurs roamed the earth.

First born son of his generation to be born in the USA. This was a big deal to Italian Americans at this time, so he was treated like a prince but was never a spoiled kid. He loved everyone and they all loved him.

He was named Girolomo after his grandfather as was the tradition but his mother afraid the other kids would make fun of him she enrolled him in school as Jerry. She need never have feared her son's embarrassment. He was never embarrassed because he possessed two rare qualities a strength of character and a high self-esteem that enabled him to make fun of himself in order to make others laugh and this together with the fact that he measured a successful day not by monetary achievements but rather by making others smile and have a much better day than they would have had if they had not met Jerry. So he told his classmates his real name and they associated that with Geronimo the Indian chief. Consequently he was known from that day in school as “The Chief.”

His love of aircraft took him into the Air Force where he trained as an aircraft mechanic and was stationed in England. His working life was varied but always included aircraft. He worked at Gulf Stream Aerospace where he met the Saudis who were buying aircraft for their medevac program. They loved Jerry as everyone did and they offered him a job as flight mechanic and as a flight engineer on international missions. He rose to Chief of Maintenance and was loved by all who met him.

The flight nurses soon harnessed his skill of painting model planes into painting their toe nails. When we left Saudi Arabia we had never had a meal just the two of us. His apartment was always full of people and that’s the way he likes it.

We met in Saudi Arabia. He the boy from Brooklyn and I from England “The odd couple” so different yet soul mates. We had a wonderful life and Jerry put up the fight of his life to keep it going. Most of you know what happened to Jerry after a flu shot. Apparently this is not as rare an occurrence as we are led to believe. Apparently those with a very strong immune system are more susceptible. I had thought that every aspect of my nursing career had prepared me to get Jerry home and he, strong as bull continued to fight and remained sharp as a tack mentally. However, it was not to be. He loved family above all and I think they will all be up there waiting for him where they will have a big party. He will dance with his mother and his cousin JoAnn and his great niece Grace and he will sing Lou Monte’s “Little Italian Mouse” in Italian, his party piece and “That’s the way I like it” another favorite.

I want to thank so many wonderful people who have helped us through his struggle. If I miss anyone, please forgive me. I want to thank all the wonderful staff as Select Specialty Hospital who have become like family over the months and have come to know Jerry as Uncle Jerry his favorite name. I wish to thank all the Italians in Portugal who mobilized to get him to the best hospital as quickly as possible. My sister who has been my rock. She came here three time from Italy and called me every single day. She was supported by her husband Claudio.
Elisa and Jonathan who immediately canceled all their plans and flew to Portugal as soon as they heard their beloved Uncle Jerry was sick. They also came from Italy to the USA to see him here.
Jerry’s sister who came here to give me support and see her brother, whist mourning her granddaughter.
Rosemary ,a cousin and more importantly a dear friend who gave her support and help whilst mourning her sister.
Belinda Russell who did all she could to help.
Melissa Russell who still tried to help whilst dealing with her grief of losing her daughter.
Our neighbors Kim and Tom who fed me often and gave me their support. Dave another neighbor who is very handy and helped a lot.
All our friends in England, Canada and Finland who constantly communicated their support. Hilary, Malcolm, Nalini, Bruno and Kathy.

I thank you all and have comfort knowing Jerry will continue to influence all our lives in a very positive way.

I hope this service is short and sweet enough for you Jerry and the parties will continue. You know you are the love of my life and there will never be another you.
 

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