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Robert J. Gerardi,
U.S. Navy vet
PUTNAM — Robert J Gerardi, 88, of Richmond Rd., formerly of Winter Garden, Fla., and Dayville, died Dec. 14, 2021, at home. He was the husband of Mary Alice (Akin) Gerardi. Born in Putnam, he was the son of the late Wida and Dora (Beauregard) Gerardi.
Following graduation from St Mary School, he attended Assumption Prep in Worcester and graduated from Putnam High School. Mr. Gerardi graduated from The College of the Holy Cross and was commissioned as an officer in the U.S. Navy. He was a member of the Holy Cross President’s Council for more than 50 years and recently at the Fenwick Society level.
In 1964, he purchased the Mabel D. Ryan Insurance Agency in Putnam, and later in 1964, merged with the Fernand (Joe) Desaulniers Insurance Agency. He became sole owner of that combined agency in 1970 and later purchased and merged with other local agencies. Upon his retirement, he sold the agency to a senior employee.
In May 1953, he was the first voice broadcast over WINY (then WPCT) during early morning tests of the station’s frequency before its inaugural broadcast. He continued working as a part-time announcer until after his college graduation.
Active in numerous civic and community activities, he was an officer of the Killingly/Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce and the Danielson Jaycees. He was elected to the Danielson Borough Council and later became Borough Clerk and Treasurer. He was also chair of the Danielson Charter Revision Commission. In 1960, he was one of 20 individuals to organize the new County Bank & Trust Company of Danielson, which, through several mergers, is now part of Bank of America.
He was a Corporator, Board member, and Vice Chairman of the Day Kimball Hospital Board of Directors. He also chaired several committees at the hospital. For many years, he was a Board Member of Catholic Charities for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Norwich.
In addition to his varied community service, he took great pride in his service to the insurance profession. In 1984, he was elected president of the Connecticut State Association of Independent Insurance Agents. He later was elected to represent Connecticut on the Board of the 50 State National Directors representing the United States insurance industry. During his career, he served on several national and regional advisory boards for a variety of insurance companies including The Travelers, Fireman’s Fund, Kemper, General Accident, American International, and others. He held membership in several clubs and was also a Life Member of the Knights of Columbus.
An avid boater, he cruised his boats to several ports on the east coast from Maine to Key West, Fla., and beyond. He was a member of the United States Sail & Power Squadrons, the East Greenwich (RI) Yacht Club, where he served as Fleet Captain. Until recently, he was also a member of the Newport (RI) Yacht Club and earlier, the New York (NY) Yacht Club.
In addition to his wife, he leaves four sons, Robert J. Gerardi Jr., CPA of Ellington, Peter V. Gerardi (Kathleen) of Brooklyn, Anthony J. Gerardi (Christine) of Winter Garden, Jeffrey J Gerardi (Linh) of Putnam; a daughter JoAnn Voccio (Joe) of Brooklyn; his brother Michael of Jupiter, Fla.; and sisters Susan Rich of Putnam, Melanie Mathieu of Shrewsbury, Mass., Marie Bogdanski of Pembroke, Mass., and Lori Wajer of Woodstock; 11 grandchildren, and 13 great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his son Paul James in 1964, by a sister Diane O’Brien in 1985, and by a sister Gail Ducharme in 2009.
The Funeral was private. Donations: The Gerardi Family Scholarship, c/o College of the Holy Cross, 1 College St., Worcester MA 01610; or to Hospice of Northeast Connecticut P.O. Box 632, Putnam CT 06260. Gilman Funeral Home & Crematory, 104 Church St., Putnam.
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