Gerard "Jerry" Kohnenkamp

September 11, 1934 – August 22, 2025

Gerard (Jerry) Kohnenkamp, 90, of Toms River, New Jersey, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Friday, August 22, 2025.

Born on September 11, 1934, in Jersey City, Jerry went to Dickinson High School, and later met the love of his life Margie. Before they married, Jerry served his country in the Army and was stationed in Germany. He would love to tell his story of meeting John Wayne out at a bar one night and even had a picture to prove it! He later settled in North Arlington, where he lived for more than 40 years and built a beautiful life with his family and his beloved wife of 58 years, Margaret “Margie” Kohnenkamp, who predeceased him in 2015.

In 2006, Jerry and Marge moved to Greenbriar Woodlands in Toms River, where he enjoyed nearly two decades making new friends and telling all of his stories for anyone who would listen.

Jerry dedicated over 50 years of his life to his career as a butcher for Thumann’s Inc. and after retirement went back to work part time in another capacity for them. He finally left Thumanns at the young age of 80! The years of friendships made there were some of his fondest memories and still maintained a connection with them to his last days.

Outside of work, Jerry was an avid sports fan and a lifelong supporter of the New York Giants, often telling everyone about going to the Polo Grounds as a child with his father. One of Jerry’s favorite things to do during the football season was to talk with his son Stephen during Giants games, carefully discussing each and every play. His love for sports did not only include football, he was also a big yankee fan, forever hoping they can get one more world series for him to see! Besides ball, dad loved to bet the “ponies” with his buddy Fiore. He would place a bet for every horse which always insured him a win!

He and Marge loved traveling to Atlantic City for a quick pull of the slots. When ever they went missing we knew just where they were!

Another one of Dad’s favorite things to do was spending weekends at his daughter and son in-laws, home, sitting on the front porch, drinking his latte’s watching the boats and neighbors walk by while playing his favorite music—Joni James, Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett—loud enough for all to hear. Everyone knew when he was over and loved to stop and say hello to “Grandpa”

Above all, Jerry’s greatest source of happiness was his family. But most of all, his grandchildren were his pride and joy and the loves of his life. He so enjoyed spending time chatting with them and sharing some life lesson with them along the way.

He is survived by his son, Stephen Kohnenkamp and his wife Wendy, daughter Geralyn Gallucci and her husband Joe. He was the proud grandfather of Gianna Gallucci, William Kohnenkamp, and Gabriella Gallucci. He is also survived by his sister, Phyllis DeGrann and brother in-law Jack Sember.

He was predeceased by his parents, Francis and Harry Kohnenkamp, as well as his brothers, Harry and Richard Kohnenkamp, and sister, Frances Schultz.

A memorial mass will be held at St. Justin the Martyr Roman Catholic Church 975 Fischer Blvd. Toms River on September 13, 2025 at 10:30am. A celebration of life will follow.