Gerald J. Zerfas

It is with great sadness that the family of Gerald Jacob Zerfas announces his passing after a brief illness, on Saturday, June 24th, at the age of 89 years. Gerald will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 66 years, Betty (Persin) and their seven children, Thomas Zerfas (Lucretia); John Zerfas (Beth); Michael Zerfas (Anna), Bernard Zerfas (Michele), Patricia Zerfas (Jesse), Janet Spaeth (Ralf), Stephen Zerfas (Julie); his sisters: Bernice Sibal and Dolores Douglas, and brother Ronald Zerfas, thirteen grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren, and many nieces, nephews, and close friends.

Born and raised in Byron Center near New Salem Township, Michigan, the son of John and Clara Zerfas, he was a long-time resident of Reading, Massachusetts and Kissimmee, Florida. Gerald left the family farm to attend Michigan State University where he graduated in 1951 with a degree in electrical engineering. School life included ROTC and Marching Band. He met his wife, Betty, and they were married in 1951 at St. John's Church in Albion, Michigan in a joint wedding ceremony with Gerald's sister.

Gerald is a Korean War Veteran serving in the Air Force for four years and obtaining the rank of First Lieutenant. He served at the Air Force Cambridge Resource Center (MA) and Vandenberg Air Force Base (CA). He left the Air Force and took a job with RCA, later GE, where he worked for 38 years as an electrical engineer. During his career, he regularly traveled to Florida to help with NASA's Apollo program. He provided radar expertise and was awarded for his contributions to landing a Man on the Moon.

Gerald retired from RCA and has continued serving on the retirement committee until 2016 when it disbanded. He attained a Fourth Degree Knight status with the K. of C., and served 30 years as Treasurer for the Boy Scouts of America. He was known for his gardening skills and love of animals. He was an enthusiastic sports fan of his favorite teams Michigan State, Red Sox, Patriots, and Austin Prep, even if they lost. Gerald and Betty moved to Kissimmee in 1997 to enjoy retirement and Jerry could be found swimming, taking warm and sunny vacations, spending time with family, and winning shuffleboard games against all comers. He was a member of Saint Rose of Lima Catholic church.

A funeral service will be held from the Doherty-Barile Funeral Home, 11 Linden Ave, Reading on Friday, June 30th at 9:30 am followed by a Funeral Mass Celebrating Gerald's Eternal Life at 10:30 AM St. Agnes Church, 186 Woburn St., Reading. Interment will be in Wood End Cemetery, Reading.
Family and friends are cordially invited to gather and share memories at the funeral home on Thursday, June 29th from 4 to 8pm.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making donations to the construction fund: Saint Rose of Lima Church, 3860 Pleasant Hill Rd., Kissimmee, FL 34746.

For further information, please visit www.facebook.com/BarileFamilyFuneralHome