Condolence: The world lost a great man on October 21st. The passing of Mr. De Santis or "Coach D" will leave a void in the hearts of everyone who knew him. His gentle and caring way will never be forgotten. God Bless you Mr. De Santis.

Condolence: Thank you to everyone for being here. I just wanted to say a few words about "coach d", OUR Uncle Gerry. To me Uncle Gerry was a mentor. A man who taught me respect. A man who taught me history. A man who taught me loyalty and love of family.

Simply put, Uncle Gerry was a teacher. For 27 years his subject was history, and over that time his impact became immeasurable. Whether it was Uncle Gerry's family, myself or my brothers Brian and Jimmy, or the multitude of students who passed through Tuckahoe's halls, his guiding hand and caring way touched so many lives.
A private man, Uncle Gerry lived his family and breathed his students. A constant at Aunt Peggy's and Uncle Tony's for Sunday dinner; or a fixture in the halls of Tuckahoe, with a mild pace, briefcase in one hand and keys twirling in the other. Uncle Gerry was a man fully known by few, his family or friends, Bill, Vito or Butchy, to name a few, but he was loved by all.
The following are words from others about Uncle Gerry.

"The feelings that come from our hearts for friends like you, is do deep I could never put them into words."

"Coach D had an impact on our earlier years as an exemplary role model. He will always be remembered as both coach and teacher."

"Gerald...you are truly a good and gracious soul."

"He was very much admired for his knowledge and understanding."

"He was so low maintenance. Always there for you, he would always listen and never once said 'me'"

I could go on, and on... And on.

Those who knew Gerry De Santis, know that he was a man amongst men. With a quiet confidence and unending generosity, Gerry led a life worthy of imitation. He lived guided by a notion that if more than one person knows the good that you do, you are doing it for the wrong reasons. He gave his money, he gave his time and he gave us his heart.
Moreover, his impact went beyond the school and his friends and family. On the battlefield of Vietnam with the 1st Calvary Division, he exuded bravery and courage in the face of certain demise. He seldom spoke of the acts which garnered him both silver and bronze stars, the air medal, army commendation medal, the Purple Heart, the army good conduct medal, the national defense service medal, the Vietnam service medal and the Vietnam campaign medal. To him these acts were not of bravery, courage of valor, but of duty, bond, loyalty and honor.
On the battlefield of life, Uncle Gerry was well known for showing up to gatherings and events with his now famous block of cheese, link of dried Italian sausage and a loaf of bread. Always delivered with the same address, "I have a little something for you..."
Over 69 years Uncle Gerry doled out a lot of "little somethings" but I can tell you confidently and unequivocally, the "little something" that Gerry gave me, goes far beyond a deconstructed cold antipasto platter. The "little something" Uncle Gerry gave me and countless others should live on through our lifetimes and beyond.
I am certain that if everyone were blessed enough to have or know an "Uncle Gerry", this world would be a much better place.
I’d like to close with Uncle Gerry's own words, which I call "Gerry's philosophy"

A School Philosophy must begin with a commitment to excellence. This commitment must be total on the part of all concerned. It must be real, honest, and genuine. It cannot simply be a commitment of words. A commitment of words is not worth the paper it’s printed on. Facades tend to crumble quite easily if they are not supported by a sturdy foundation. The learning environment must be structured, disciplined, but yet it must be a place where people feel comfortable being in. People should be encouraged, not discouraged.
Strengths should be fostered, weaknesses tolerated and tempered. Espirit de corps is essential to success. Eisenhower going into Normandy told his troops that he had the most extreme confidence in them. That if they couldn’t do it no one could.
Decision making must be shared. People must be made to feel wanted. No – one individual is going to hold the key to a school’s success.
Tradition must not be abandoned. Past strengths should not be forgotten, they should be rekindled and be utilized and strengthen the present for the future.
All have a stake in this plan. The nurturing process must be universal. All must realize a feeling of belonging if success is to be achieved. Build upon the strengths of the past with a total, unadulterated commitment in the present to insure a continuance of success in and for the future.


Uncle Gerry you have been a light for so many, I know you'll have "a little something" waiting everyone at the gates. We will miss you - Rest in peace.

Condolence: A TRUE FRIEND, who never complained, quiet, unassuming and a TRUE AMERICAN HERO. I'll always have fond memories of Gerry. This country needs more people like him. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Chuck Licini.

Condolence: With deepest sympathies to the De Santis family. Coach D. had a great impact on our earlier years as an exemplary role model. He will always be remembered as both coach and teacher. For him to be able to put up with the Bonforte boys was a credit to his character---especially the relationship he had with our belated brother Donny on the football field. Keep flipping the keys in heaven!! He was a great man and will be missed. We also express our sincere condolences to the Adams boys (his nephews Eddie, Brian and Jimmy) as they loved him very much. May he rest in peace.

Condolence: Gerald and I shared the same birth date, July 31st. These past few days I’ve had a flood of memories from our early childhood and early teen years when Gerald, Quentin, Gino, Denis, Richy and I would play games of cowboys and Indians, cops and robbers, football, baseball, touch football, stickball, and punch ball long after the street lights came on along Monticello Ave in the Bronx. After Gerald and his family moved to Eastchester we could be found running up and down the greens of Leewood golf course tossing balls and playing army in the woods opposite the golf course. As I look back, it is no mystery as to why he became a coach. We were all happy in those days, blissfully unaware that in time each of us would become athletes and then soldiers. Gerald followed the biblical dictum of leading “a quiet and peaceable life”. He was devoted to God, his family, relatives and friends. He was a true inspiration to his students, ballplayers and all who knew him. God Bless you, Gerald… you are truly a good and gracious soul. I miss you deeply, your loving cousin Justin and Rennae De Santis.

Condolence: 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.

Condolence: Devastated is the only word that describes my reaction to the passing of a dear friend whom I knew for over 50 years. My only regret is that I saw Gerry only infrequently since leaving New York many years ago. The few trips that I made to New York were always highlighted with a visit to Gerry, who seemed to know everything that one needed to know about Eastchester, about our school chums from college days, and about some of the antics we did in our younger days. Even though my visits were years apart, we would pick up where we left off as if it were yesterday.
Never one to be argumentative or provocative, Gerry was one of those rare individuals who never spoke a harsh word to or about anyone. He would often take a ribbing from his friends in his usual good-natured way—one example being his aversion to electronic devices—especially when it came to their attempts to contact him by the only means available, telephone. No easy task! Having an answering machine might have helped, but for Gerry it was out of the question. We never could figure out why, but that was Gerry.
Visiting New York will no longer be the same for me now that Gerry is gone. Thinking back to all the years that I knew him, I realize more than ever how much his friendship meant to me. But even more so, Gerry gave much to his community and to the nation, which cannot be overstated. He was a Vietnam Vet and a teacher-coach. Gerry never talked about his experiences in Vietnam, but I do know that when he returned to Eastchester he contributed significantly to the community, especially in his role as teacher-coach, who educated and guided his students at Tuckahoe High School. His legacy will live on, I am sure, in those former students.
My heartfelt condolence to the family of a good and decent man, whom I had the privilege of calling a friend.

Condolence: As a coach, I had the privilege to observe Gerry from the opposite sideline.
He was always a gentleman and a great sportsman. Jerry was an excellent role model
for his players as he always maintained a quiet and yet enthusiastic demeanor.
He represented Tuckahoe to it's highest standard.
My prayers go out to members of his family.

Vito Priore
Former Coach/Athletic Director
Bronxville H.S.



Sent from my iPad

Condolence: Every time he walked into a room you knew that it would be a festive event. Gerald would always visit with a bottle of wine, a piece of cheese, a dry sausage, and a loaf of Italian bread. He would always say,"I brought a little something". We would talk, drink and eat, and then as quietly as he entered, he would exit. As look at the huge clasic black Cadilac drive out of view, I would say, there goes a great guy....So Gerald, I say, I will see you down the road and I will bring the wine, cheese,sausage and bread. Salute to a great man..

Condolence: Gerald was a kind and giving cousin. He always made time to visit my mom, his aunt Esther, on cetain holidays. Of course,after drinking his home made wine he would always bring, I don't remember much after that. lol
He was a good guy and will be missed!