John "Jack" Gerrity

Today we honor and remember a remarkable man a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, patriot, and faithful Catholic whose life was defined by integrity, humility, hard work, and love. For more than 90 years, he lived a life that truly mattered.

He was proudly Irish and proudly Catholic. Those were not just labels to him, they were guiding principles. His faith shaped the way he lived every day: with honesty, compassion, discipline, and quiet generosity. He showed all of us what it means to live a Catholic life not only in church on Sunday, but in the choices we make every single day. His Catholic faith was deeply rooted, and he was especially proud of the education he received from the Vincentian Fathers, whose teachings helped shape the man he became. Their influence stayed with him throughout his life, reflected in his commitment to service, humility, and moral conviction.

He was highly intelligent and had a lifelong love of learning. Education was something he deeply valued not only as an achievement, but as an opportunity and a responsibility. He worked his way through college through determination and perseverance, never expecting shortcuts or favors. That same work ethic and character led him to a distinguished career as a federal agent with the U.S. Treasury a role perfectly suited for a man whose integrity was beyond reproach. In a world where honesty can sometimes seem rare, he was the most honest man I have ever known. People trusted him because he was trustworthy in every sense of the word.

Later, he was accepted to graduate school at the University of Notre Dame, an accomplishment of which he was rightly proud. But in a decision that says so much about who he was, he declined that opportunity because he was already working full time and devoted himself to raising his growing family of five children. Duty, responsibility, and family always came first.

Before that career, he served his country honorably in the United States Navy. Service was simply part of who he was service to his country, service to his faith, service to his community, and above all, service to his family. He loved his family deeply. For more than 65 years, he shared a marriage built on commitment, loyalty, sacrifice, and love. Together, he and Lily built a beautiful family five children, eight grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren, all of whom carry forward his values, his strength, and his example.

He was also a proud leader within the Irish Catholic community, serving as President of the Ancient Order of Hibernians. That role reflected how deeply he valued his heritage, his faith, and the importance of fellowship and charity. His Irish roots were a source of tremendous pride, and he had a profound interest in both Irish and American history. He understood that history is more than dates and events it is the story of sacrifice, perseverance, faith, and identity. He loved learning about the people and struggles that came before him, and he carried that appreciation into the way he lived his own life with gratitude and purpose. Though highly intelligent, he never used his knowledge to impress others. Instead, he used it to guide, teach, protect, and help. He led more by example than by words. You could learn from him simply by watching how he lived with dignity, humility, discipline, and unwavering moral conviction. His legacy is not only in the accomplishments he achieved, but in the lives he shaped. His children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, family, and friends were given a living example of what a good man looks like. A man of faith. A man of honor. A man who kept his word. A man who loved deeply and gave quietly. In many ways, his life reminds us that greatness is not measured by wealth, status, or recognition. True greatness is found in character—in how faithfully we serve God, how honestly we live, how hard we work, and how well we love the people entrusted to us. He leaves behind a family who adored him, a community that respected him, and a legacy that will endure for generations. May we honor him not only with our words today, but by striving to live with the same honesty, faith, courage, and kindness that defined his life. And may God welcome him home with the words:

Well done, good and faithful servant.

May he rest in peace.