Gennaro Gemma

On Sunday, June 28, 2026, Gennaro “Jerry” Gemma, age 92, passed away peacefully at home. He was a lifelong resident of his childhood neighborhood Isabella Avenue and Enfield Avenue in Providence. His parents were Gennaro Gemma and Jennie (Polselli) Gemma of Providence. Jerry will always be remembered as a gentle, patient husband to his wife Joan (Rao) Gemma of 70 years.

Jerry and Joan were always out and about in their car traveling and exploring throughout their 76 years together. Jerry is survived by his wife Joan, his son, The Honorable Robert W. Gemma of Cumberland, his daughter Judith Gemma McCarthy and her late husband James of Narragansett and his sister Janet Calitri of East Greenwich and her late husband Anthony Calitri. He is predeceased by his sister Marie DeCesare and her late husband Dr. Roland DeCesare.

Jerry was always a part of the lives of his four loving grandchildren, Laura Angell, Paul Gennaro Gemma, Brenna McCarthy and Jaden McCarthy. He had one great grandchild Joshua Angell and many other family members including his brother-in-law and sister-in-laws Anthony and Hila Rao and Elaine Coccoli and her husband the late Peter and many nieces and nephews that he held dear to his heart.

Jerry will be remembered for being the popular president of his Mount Pleasant High School class, continuing to organize reunions and gather his classmates together. He earned a mechanical engineering degree from Wentworth Institute of Technology in Boston.

In the 1970s, ahead of his time, Jerry manufactured and patented an invention for an automatic production line robot.

He worked for Grinnell Corporation as part of the engineering team contracted by NASA to develop and perfect the gyroscope for the Apollo missions.

Later, Jerry was the plant manager for Dixon Furon Manufacturing in Bristol, RI for 25 years before retiring. His accolades with them include, expanding production lines in many states as well as in Japan and constructing a manufacturing plant from the ground up.

Jerry was the ultimate handyman. At home, he could be found at his work bench with an array of tools, building and repairing anything and everything that needed tender loving care. He willingly offered his expertise to all and if Jerry couldn't fix it, no one could!

Jerry was most happy when he was driving in his car. He traveled to many places, but his favorite jaunt was spending time with his circle of lifelong friends by the ocean on Scarborough Beach. He always had a joke to share, accompanied by his infectious smile. His delicious fried eggplant, homemade Palm Sunday macaroni and perfectly shaped Pizzellas will be missed, as well as his exquisitely sliced Thanksgiving turkey.

Jerry will be forever remembered for his gentle spirit, kindness, warmth and integrity toward all who had the pleasure to know him. He will be forever thought of with love.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial on Thursday, July 2, 2026 at 11:00 AM in St. Augustine Church, 639 Mt. Pleasant Avenue, Providence. Burial will be private. Please omit flowers.