Aug. 12, 1931 – May 20, 2021
Mr. Gerald (“Gerry”) Joseph Guerrieri, of Houston, Texas, formerly of Greenwich, died at home on May 20, 2021 surrounded by his wife of 42 years, Charlene Burkle Guerrieri and stepdaughter, Jacqueline Briggs.
A memorial service celebrating Gerry’s life took place in Houston on June 5 and subsequent internment at Houston Memorial Veterans Cemetery will follow at a later date.
Gerry, son of the late Jerry and Rose (Mancini) Guerrieri, long time Greenwich residents, attended Greenwich schools and graduated from the New York Military Academy in 1950. Following graduation, Gerry joined the United States Armed Forces and was stationed at Wright Patterson Air Force Base in Greene County, Ohio where he worked in military intelligence.
After his stint in the Air Force, Gerry attended Texas Tech University and graduated with honors. An accomplished musician and singer, Gerry played clubs as a side gig during college to earn extra income. After college, Gerry embarked on what would become a 40+ year professional career in sales with the Bronze Corporation in Chicago, and later formed his own sales agency, Gerry Garri & Associates, in Dallas and later Sea Brook, Texas.
Gerry married the former Charlene Burkle, an artist and published author, with whom he formed a loving, blended family with Gerry bringing daughter Dalla Kay, now of Lubbock, Texas and son, Gerald G. Guerrieri, late of College Station, to join Charlene’s children, son John and daughters, Donna and Jacqueline. Through this union Gerry was able to enjoy the role of grandfather to Jacqueline’s children, formed a trusted father/son relationship with Jacqueline’s husband, affectionately known as “John Doe,” and in recent years, became great-grandfather to Grandson Hunter’s new baby.
Gerry’s passion remained sailing throughout his life and he especially enjoyed the waters off Galveston Bay. Like his brothers Don and Bobby, Gerry enjoyed all things food and fine dining, and found an experienced home chef in Charlene. Gerry loved nothing more than a day sailing on the Bay, Charlene at his side, along with the sumptuous picnic she prepared and a good bottle of red wine.
Gerry is survived by his brother, Robert L. Guerrieri of Old Greenwich, sister-in-law, Barbara P. Guerrieri, formerly of Greenwich and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brother, Donald R. Guerrieri, in 2006.
“Sail on Gerry!”
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research. Telephone: (800) 708-7644.
