Solven Jerry Vilardi

25 December 1925 – 5 September 2026

S. JERRY VILARDI of Port St. Lucie, Florida passed peacefully from this world on September 5, 2026. In keeping with family tradition, he was 100+ years old; both of his parents, Pauline and Sol, also lived into their triple digits.

Jerry was born in Brooklyn on Christmas Day, 1925. As a teen growing up on Long Island, he worked in his uncle’s Italian deli, and would sometimes skip school to catch performances by Glenn Miller and other big bands at Radio City Music Hall.

He served in the US Army Air Corps during World War II, and attended the University of Oklahoma on the GI Bill.

His early working life included stints as a shoe salesman and a uniformed Good Humor ice cream man. But most of his career was devoted to ink. For 40 years, at JM Huber, he managed the production and sales of tons of printing ink used by major newspapers and packaging companies. He was regarded as an industry icon, and received many awards and accolades.

Jerry’s amiable nature and outgoing personality made him the life of every party, convention, and golf outing. He never met someone he couldn’t find something in common with. And the man really knew how to tell a story, crack a joke, and get everyone laughing.

In retirement Jerry found a new passion in oil painting, and he quickly developed impressive skills. He incorporated his art into Christmas cards that were eagerly anticipated by those on his massive mailing list.

Jerry was first married to Doris (Wyrostok), and later to Donna (Stralow, Fuka) until her passing in 2021. He leaves behind his “kids,” MJ Vilardi (M.E. Hart), Peter Vilardi(Dorothy), Kent Fuka (Nancy), and Kim Krech (Peter). His grandchildren are Daniel Vilardi (Gisell), Chris Fuka (Megann), Lauren Fuka, Jack Jennings (Marija), Jonathan Vilardi, Will Jennings (Lizzy Slebodnick); his Great Grandchildren are Giovanni Vilardi, Bella Vilardi, John Fuka, and Orion Fuka.

Jerry was never happier than when riffing on his beloved clarinet. And among his many talents he was also a master chef who especially loved to improvise with whatever he had on hand. Instead of sending flowers, Jerry would want you to have a great meal, raise a glass, and remember him.