Joseph "Jerry" Wiffler

Jerry was born in Yonkers on November 20, 1939. Jerry attended grammar school at Our Lady of the Rosary School on Lamartine Avenue. After Commerce High School, he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps, where he would forge many friendships as well as an abiding love of America. Jerry served at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, attaining the rank of Corporal.

On September 8, 1962 Jerry married his childhood sweetheart Carol Ann Keon. Carol and Jerry were born just a few weeks apart, grew up across the street from each other, and attended kindergarten together at Holy Rosary. As a boy Jerry had a “No Girls Allowed in the Yard” policy that was only broken for Carol.

In 1964, after a short time with the Post Office delivering mail on the steep hills of Hastings, Jerry joined the Yonkers Fire Department and began a long career he would describe as “the best job in the world.” Jerry served most of his career with Engine 3, and later as an aide to Battalions 1 and 2.

Through the 60s, 70s and 80s Jerry and his beloved 3 Engine fought legendary multi-alarm fires, saved many lives and begrudgingly rescued a few cats in trees. (“Cats always come back down. Ever see a cat skeleton in a tree?”) It was “on the job” with the fire department where Jerry made some great friends for life: “Brucie”; “Cy”; and “Redeye” are just a few.

During his years with the fire department, Jerry became known as a versatile and inventive firehouse chef. Jerry had a natural flair for cooking, always veering from the recipe and making a racket with pots and pans. He was published in the National Firefighters Recipe Book. The tough fireman with the New York accent was as adept as a graduate of Le Cordon Bleu or a chef from the Louisiana bayous. Jerry’s children would routinely call him for kitchen advice and loved to listen to him pontificate.

Jerry and Carol settled in the Yonkers neighborhood of Homefield, raising their four children in St. Anthony’s Parish. Like his father and his grandfather, John, the gardener for Yonkers’ Trevor Glenview estate (now the Hudson River Museum), he loved working outside, each year planting tomatoes and a variety of vegetables and flowers, always making sure that the birdfeeder was full.

Jerry loved to chat with neighbors and strangers alike and befriended everyone. During the holidays old friends in far-flung places like Indiana or Guam could expect a phone call from Jerry. When door-to-door missionaries came calling, Jerry would sit on the front wall and chew THEIR ears off.

Despite his larger than life demeanor, he remained a humble man who sought no recognition for his regular acts of kindness and generosity. Jerry would always shovel the snow far beyond his own property. As his children grew and moved across the country, they would often receive a random box of frozen steaks, a gallon jug of maple syrup, or some other treasure. No label was necessary to know it was from Dad.

Despite debilitating back injuries and a 1989 heart attack that ultimately led to his retirement, Jerry often mentioned how grateful he was to live to see his children’s weddings and to meet all of his grandchildren.

He was blessed with a quick wit, an inquisitive mind, and a deep sense of right and wrong that he instilled in his children. Jerry would often sign off a conversation or email with a succinct but profound lesson for life: “Keep the Faith.”

Jerry is survived by his wife Carol Ann, his four children: Jerry III, his wife Colleen; Michele, (“Mooch,” to dad), her husband Vince; Tommy, his wife Kathy; Danny and his wife Tracy; and grandchildren Kate, Tommy, Bridget, Tim, Colin, Kaleigh, Caroline, Jerry, Caitlin, Jane, Martin and AJ.

Donations may be made in memory of Jerry Wiffler to:

St. Anthony’s Church

10 Squire Ave

Yonkers, NY 10703

https://stanthony-yonkers.churchgiving.com/