Gerardo Alverio

Born in San Lorenzo, Puerto Rico in 1919 to Juan Alverio and Estebania Cintrón, he was proud to have served in the U.S. Army during World War II in one of the segregated units that later became part of the 65th Regiment, also known as the legendary ‘Borinqueneers’. Gerardo served in the Philippines, Hawaii and Panama, and earned numerous medals for his service.

After the war, he moved his young family to Meriden, settling in New Britain in 1956, where he worked in the state’s thriving manufacturing industry at the time. As one of New Britain’s first Puerto Rican families, he and Vicenta, soon became part of Connecticut’s small, tight-knit Puerto Rican community of the 1950’s. Over the years, they became members of several organizations, with Gerardo going on to serve as President of the New Britain Puerto Rican Society Club. Along the way, he and his wife, taught their children about the value of education, their heritage, pride in their culture and doing their part in the community for the betterment of all.

In later years, Gerardo worked for the Department of Children and Families as Youth Service Officer, before retiring to Florida, and enjoying watching his family grow and sharing in their achievements.

His loving family includes: Yvonne Alverio and her husband, Michael Jones of Deerfield Beach, Florida, Diane Alverio Melley of New Britain, he was pre-deceased by his son-in-law, John F. Melley; Marilyn Alverio of Glastonbury and Gerardo Alverio, Jr. of Deerfield Beach, Florida, four grandchildren, Diana Drake, Jessica and Rebecca Melley and Briana Habicht and four great-grandchildren, Evan, Samuel, Maia and Haley.

Calling hours will be on Friday, January 30, 2015 from 5 – 7 p.m. at the New Britain Memorial-Donald D. Sagarino Funeral Home, 444 Farmington Avenue, New Britain. Directions: exit 37 off I-84 East or West – right off exit -- 1 ½ miles on right. Funeral services will be on Saturday, January 31st at 8:30 AM at the New Britain Memorial-Donald D. Sagarino Funeral Home, followed by the funeral liturgy at 9:30 AM at Sacred Heart Church. New Britain. Burial with military honors will follow at St. Mary Cemetery, New Britain.

To send a message or share a memory with the family, please go to www.newbritainsagarino.com

We know our Dad, would be honored to help the city he called home for so many years as well as his fellow veterans. As such, the family asks that in lieu of flowers, if desired, contributions can be made to the National 65th Regiment Memorial Park in New Britain which will honor the ‘Borinqueneers’. Checks can be made payable to HRA of New Britain, Inc. which is serving as the fiduciary agent, with reference to the "National 65th Regiment" or ‘Borinqueneers’ in the memo line and mailed to the attention of James Frohn, 180 Clinton Street, New Britain, CT 06053.