Gery and I first met when we were in the eighth grade at Eastchester High School. He had just moved up from the Bronx with his Mom, Dad and sister Marion. We remained friends all through high school, college and life. We took great joy in being of Italian ancestry and felt special with the perch we were given in which to view the world. After graduating Iona College together we were drafted into the Army. We continued to stay in touch. There was never a long gap in our communication. We coached Little League together and when Gerry started work at Tuckahoe High School he was the happiest person on earth. Gerry loved teaching and coaching. His only goal was to see his students graduate and have an equal footing in life. It was so very important to him. Over the years Gerry took huge pleasure when former students and athletes came up to him to shake his hand and to thank him for influencing their lives. One time Gerry had loaned someone $100.00 because he needed the money. Over fifteen years later that student caught up with him to repay his debt. He wanted to make sure that Gerry knew that his kindness was never forgotten. I'm sure each one of us has a Gerry story of his own. Gerry left part of himself in the jungles of Vietnam, but the person who came home was a giant of a man, a credit to his nation and his community, and a wonderful human being. Safe journey my friend.