Jerry C. Esposito was born Ciro Joseph Esposito on April 12 1933 to; John A. Esposito and Mary (Capasso) Esposito in Bronx, NY. He joined a beloved sister, Josephine Esposito (Smith) now of Yonkers NY. He was born on his father's birthday!
He grew-up in the Bronx graduating from Evander Childs H.S. He then served as a SeaBee in the U.S. Navy for 4 years; stationed in the Alleutian Islands and Japan, in part in aid to the Korean conflict. He attended Fairleigh Dickenson University and Westchester Community College, studying civil engineering.
He married Bergit Olga Lowe, "Betty" on September 27th 1958. The woman who loved him since she was 16 years old.
He and Betty moved to Brewster, NY in 1962, where he became building inspector for the town of Southeast. That community still sees the legacy of that role in the structures and homes that he helped create.
Jerry is survived by his daughters, Linda, JoAnn, and Jeri Michelle as well as his son-in-laws Phillip and James; also his sister Josephine. His nephew, John & niece, Catherine Mary, and their families are especially dear.
He thrilled over his grandchildren who posses his incredible spirit in differing ways; Corianna Marguerite Yannone, Dylan Robert Lantry and his wife, Aundrea; and Tyler James Lantry.
The great loves of his life (in no particular order):
Sports(especially golf), car mechanics, music, dancing,
a healthy debate, his cats, pool maintenance, the underdog,
his mother’s escarole and beans,
Almond Joy™ coffee creamer,
his best friends (there are SO many!),
his grandchildren, his daughters,
and his beautiful wife.
When asked how he had so many friends he replied, “To have a good friend you must be a good friend”. Care and love for others were his bedrock.
He is predeceased by his brother in law, Harold W. Smith II, his nephew Harold W. Smith III and his parents: John in 1969 and Mary in 2001.
We all will try to go forward without you physically, but we know you will always be with us, especially for when we love and care about the least of these and the underdogs.
Donations in Jerry’s name in lieu of flowers can be made to :
Coalition of Immokalee Workers, a worker based human rights organization recognized internationally for its achievement in fighting human trafficking and gender based violence at work.
Currently donations are being used to address COVID crisis.
C.I.W.
P.O. Box 603
Immokalee, FL 34143
(or online: CIW-online.org)
OR
Lee County Domestic Animal Services
ANIMAL TRUST FUND
5600 Banner Drive
Ft. Myers, FL. 33912
239-533-7387 X 9
Celebration of Life gatherings will be announced at a later time.
Jerry never did anything part way in this life.
Please remember, “If you are going to Albany, don’t get off in Poughkeepsie.”
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