Jerry Joseph Jacuzio

Jerry J Jacuzio passed suddenly at home on June 8, 2023 after a long and valiant battle against cancer. Jerry was born June 6th 1952 in Waterbury CT, son of the late Jerry L Jacuzio and Lucy Prestipino Jacuzio. Jerry is survived by his daughter and best friend, Amy Duffy of Cary, NC; his brother, William Jacuzio of Murrell’s Inlet, South Carolina; and a wealth of extended family and friends from around the globe.

Retired from a long career in IT/Software Engineering, Jerry was intrinsically an artist, musician, and adventurer. He was a holographer with work on display at the MIT Museum of Holography (1983/84). He painted, especially loving watercolors. Jerry also designed masks, decorative walking sticks, and unique felted hats. Many of the hats were donated to the Duke Cancer Center boutique. More recently in recognition of the uniqueness of his work, Jerry was selected to participate as an Artist in Residency at the Fish Factory located in Stodvarfjordur, Iceland. A vocalist, lyricist, and talented performer, Jerry played guitar, Celtic fiddle, and many other instruments; including the medieval hurdy gurdy, and the Swedish nyckelharpa. Jer loved travel and visited numerous countries around the world –including Ireland, Scotland, and Mexico. Above all, Jerry found wonder in Crete, Greece – in its kindred people and their inherent “philotimo.”

Jerry truly LIVED life. He made magic through creating and connecting with people and places. Jerry was always learning, always growing, and always giving of himself. While he had an open mind and heart, he was steadfast in his faith and spirituality – beliefs which assure that his journey has only just begun. Jerry will forever be remembered as an incredible and loving father, an amazing friend to many, and a man of integrity and honor whose light will never dim.

Amy and the entire family would like to thank all those who offered their prayers and support. Thanks also to Dr Christopher G Willett, MD Radiation Oncologist, and Dr Christopher Mantyh, MD Colorectal Surgeon, for your skills and care provided at the original onset of my Dad’s cancer fight. And to the team at Personalized Hematology and Oncology in Wake Forest, NC, your office is a champion for Stage Four cancer patients seeking viable options and hope. And finally, gratitude to Dr Shazia Obaid, MD for your compassion, and thoughtfulness. You are truly what a healer should be.

At a later date to be determined, a gathering will be held to celebrate Jerry, and a life well-lived.

For those of you who would like to make a gift in Jerry’s memory, please consider St Jude Children’s Research hospital. (stjude.org) – an institution he admired and supported.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.apexfuneral.net for the Jacuzio family.