Edward G Cerullo Jr.

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Edward Cerullo, 77, of Annadale, a retired commercial artist who loved country music, died Sunday in Clove Lakes Health Care and Rehabilitation Center, Castleton Corners, where he had resided for three months.

Born and raised in Brooklyn, he moved to Annadale in 1964.

Mr. Cerullo served as a private first class in the U.S. Army, stationed stateside at Fort Monmouth, N.J.

He was a successful commercial artist and had worked for DC Comics, the Jim Henson Co. and Zander's Animation Studio, all in Manhattan. He also did freelance work from the mid-1980s on, his family said. He retired in 2002.

Mr. Cerullo enjoyed playing the guitar, watching classic movies and listening to big-band music. But most of all, he loved country music.

"He lived and breathed it," said his son, Christopher.

Mr. Cerullo attended Our Lady Star of the Sea R.C. Church, Huguenot.

His wife of 53 years, the former Grace Russo, died in 2012.

Surviving, along with his son, Christopher, is his brother, Richard.

The funeral will be Wednesday from the Casey McCallum Rice South Shore Funeral Home, with a mass at 11 a.m. in St. Clare's R.C. Church, both Great Kills. Arrangements include cremation.