Gerardo Guerrero Sr.

On October 16, 1928, Gerardo Guerrero was born to Isabel Bernardez and Cecilio Guerrero in Trujillo, Honduras. “Papa” as he was called, went to school in Trujillo until he left to move to La Ceiba, Honduras to continue his musical studies. Music was his passion as he was an accomplished saxophonist and vibraphonist. During the big band era, he formed a band called the Rising Swingers and they played at a local radio station in La Ceiba every Wednesday night. They also played at various parties and it was during one such party where he met Isabel, the love of his life. It was love at first sight and since then he began dedicating songs to her on the radio on Wednesday nights. One day it was time to have “the meeting.” So accompanied by two cousins he met with Isabel’s mother Petrona and Isabel’s eldest brother Willie, who represented her father to ask if he could marry her. He always said “she was so beautiful I wanted to make sure that I asked before somebody else did.” On January 20, 1951 they were wed at La Milagrosa Roman Catholic Church in La Ceiba. Gerardo wanted to make a better life for his wife and family, so after the birth of their first child, he left Honduras to come to the United States. Five years later he brought his wife and son to the US. He earned his living as a garment industry worker to provide for his family. After living in Manhattan and the Bronx and the birth of four more children, he bought a house in Queens Village, where the family still resides. He performed in numerous bands such as the Jerry Guerrero Orchestra and the Charlie Fisher Band and played several engagements with the Machito Orchestra in the Palladium ballroom in New York City.

After retiring, Gerardo built a home in Santa Fe, Honduras where he and his wife split time. There he continued to play music in church, formed a children’s choir, translated for medical brigades and generally brought joy to all who met him.

On November 24, 2015, Gerardo passed away peacefully surrounded by his adoring wife Isabel, his five children Gerardo Jr., Richard, Roland, Maxine and Arlene and his granddaughter Reina.