Jerry Guerrera Obituary

Jerry G. Guerrera

AGE: 85 • Matawan

Jerry G. Guerrera, 85, of Matawan, passed away on Tuesday June 18, 2013 at Bayshore Health Care Center. He was born and raised in South Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

He was honorably discharged from the Army. He attended New York University and received a Bachelor of Arts degree. He earned his Master of Science degree and his PHD from Rutgers University. He wrote a unique paper on Mass-spectrometry while studying at Rutgers. He worked as Research Director at International Flavors & Fragrances, UOP Chemical, and Felton International. He later became a partner in Elan Incorporated in Newark, NJ, until his retirement.

He was a member of Sigma Xi; Science Research of North America; and the American Chemical Society. He served on the science committee at Monmouth University.

Dr. Guerrera was predeceased by his parents, Arthur and Marie (Santa Maria) Guerrera, his sister Edith Bregar, and his son James. He is survived by his beloved wife of 48 years Marion, and his daughters and sons-in-law Kathleen & John Kelley of Pa, Jennifer & Elias Vasilakopoulus of Holmdel, and his sons and daughters-in-law, Thomas & Wendy Guerrera of South Salem NY, and Arthur & Mary Guerrera of Navesink. Also his adored twelve grandchildren, the 'lights' of his life, Timothy, Ryan, Maura and Sean Kelley, Arielle, Valentine, and Sophia Guerrera, Riley, Cassidy, and Colin Guerrera, and Lucia and Nicolas Vasilakopoulus.

Jerry loved his family above all and was 'famous' for his special pancakes and awesome breakfasts. He most enjoyed traveling, playing chess, Turner Classic movies, a constant quest for knowledge, being at the beach with his family, and his appreciation of 'the' perfect martini.

Visitation will be held on Friday June 21, 2013 from 2-4pm and 7-9pm at the Waitt Funeral home and Cremation Service, 501 Highway 79, Morganville, NJ 07751. A funeral mass will take place on Saturday June 22, 2013 at 11am at St. Clement Church Matawan, and entombment will follow in St. Gabriel's Cemetery, Marlboro. The family requests donations be made in his name to either of the 3 charities, American Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 11454 , Alexandria, VA 22312, American Parkinson Disease Association, 135 Parkinson Avenue, Staten Island, NY 10305, St. Jude Children's Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. To share stories, photos or to send an online condolence please visit www.waittfh.com