Gerald F. 'Jerry' DeCarlo

DULUTH, Minn. — Gerald F. “Jerry” DeCarlo, 60, of Ironwood, Mich., died Saturday, Aug. 3, 2013, surrounded by his loving family, at Essentia Health-St. Mary’s Medical Center in Duluth, following a brief, courageous battle with lung cancer.

Jerry was born Jan. 31, 1953, in Wakefield, Mich., son of Tom and the late Louise (Champagne) DeCarlo, attended St. Ambrose Grade School in Ironwood, and graduated from Ironwood Catholic High School in 1972. He worked at Quality Rubber in Wakefield until 1981, then worked with his dad at Tom’s Sheet Metal in Ironwood until 1991 when he took over the business, renaming it DeCarlo’s Sheet Metal Shop and operating it up until the time of his death.

Jerry was active in Boy Scouts for five years, played Pee Wee hockey in Ironwood for three years, and was a member of the Sons of the American Legion, Post 27 of Bessemer, Mich. He also bowled in range area leagues for many years. He enjoyed word search puzzles, deer hunting and fishing with friends, especially his dad, working outdoors and tinkering in his garage. He was a kind and generous man with a great sense of humor. A loving husband, dad, son, brother, uncle and cousin, Jerry will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

On Oct. 1, 1983, he was married to Lori Buccanero at St. Ambrose Catholic Church in Ironwood by the late Very Rev. Thomas Ruppe. Lori survives.

Also surviving are two daughters, Amanda DeCarlo (Brian Stella Jr.) and Jerika DeCarlo, both of Ironwood; his father, Tom (Marilyn), Ironwood; two brothers, Tom (Carol), Ironwood, and John “Jack” (Kyong Hui), Newport News, Va .; an uncle, Joe DeCarlo, Ironwood; three aunts, Fran Loreti, Hurley, Wis., Ann (Knute) Hammer, Edmonds, Wash., and Teresa Peterson, Duluth; nieces and nephews, Rick DeCarlo, Ashland, Wis., Candee (Jeff) Wiemeri and Gina DeCarlo, both of Ironwood, and Louise (Greg) Umfleet and Frances DeCarlo, both of Virginia; numerous great-nieces, great-nephews and cousins; special family friends, the Andrashies; his bestest girl, Baylee; and numerous other close friends.

Out of respect for Jerry’s wishes, cremation has taken place.

Memorial services will be held Wednesday, Aug. 14, at 11 a.m., preceded by visitation at 9:30 a.m., at the McKevitt-Patrick Funeral Home, 305 N. Lowell St., in Ironwood, with the Rev. Robb Jurkovich officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Regional Hospice Services Inc., 100 S. Mill St., Bessemer MI 49911.

Condolences can be given to Jerry’s family online at mckevittpatrickfuneralhome.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted to McKevitt-Patrick Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Ironwood.