Gerard “Jerry” J. Zezza, Jr., 82, of West Pittston, passed away Sunday, December 10, 2023 in Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center.
Born in Pittston on June 21, 1941, he was the son of the late Gerard J. Zezza, Sr. and Yolanda Biscontini Zezza.
Jerry was a graduate of West Pittston High School and Wilkes College, where he received bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Prior to his retirement, he was an art teacher for 39 years at Wyoming Area. During his career, he coached both the boys and girls basketball teams and actively contributed to the athletic program.
Jerry was a member of, lector, and usher in the Corpus Christi Parish, West Pittston. He was an avid golfer who served on the Board of Directors at Emanon Country Club, including a long tenure as Treasurer. He was also on the committee for the annual Flying A Golf Tournament, having just celebrated it’s 60th year, of which his father was one of the original founding members.
His greatest passion was his family, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He loved sports and never missed a Penn State football game. He also enjoyed college basketball and the New York Yankees. He grew many tomatoes in his WP garden, and he could often be found having a coffee and bagel with his buddies at the diner. Jerry was a kind and generous man who impacted the lives of those around him and was loved by all who knew him.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Jean Louise “Cookie” Palmeri Zezza in 2014.
Surviving are children, Diane Selkregg (Dave), Allentown; Jerry Zezza (Doreen), Exeter; Steven Zezza (Devon), Sea Girt, NJ; and David Zezza (Nancy), West Allis, Wisconsin; grandchildren, Steven Selkregg (Andrea); Sean Selkregg (Angela); Zachary Selkregg (Jessica); Samuel Selkregg and Benjamin Selkregg; Jordan Zezza (Shannon); Jeremy Zezza; Aaron Zezza; Zoe Zezza; David Zezza, Jr; Ryan Zezza and Michael Zezza; 5 great-grandchildren; sisters, Connie Rosencrance (Carl), West Pittston and Mary Ann Zezza, West Pittston; sister in law, Joan Moss (Don), West Pittston; brother in law, Louis Palmeri (Marian), Kingston; numerous nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends and relatives Thursday, December 14, 2023, from 4pm-7pm and Friday, December 15, 2023, from 9:30am-10:30am in Corpus Christi Parish, 605 Luzerne Avenue, West Pittston. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Friday at 10:30am. Interment, Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Carverton. Arrangements are entrusted to Adonizio Funeral Home, LLC, Pittston.