Herbert Thomas “Herb” Gerardi

Herbert Thomas “Herb” Gerardi

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Herbert T. “Herb” Gerardi, age 88, of Falls Church, formerly of Alexandria, VA, passed away peacefully on Sunday, April 16, 2023, surrounded by his loving family.

Beloved husband of the late Duchene King Gerardi (2003), Herb is survived by his daughter, Jennifer Roberts and her husband Rohn, of Falls Church, VA; his daughter, Heidi Wilson and her husband Scott, of Chesapeake, VA; and his son, Peter Gerardi, of Miami, FL. Herb was the adored grandfather of Katie Roberts Ginevan and her husband Zach, of Berkeley Springs, WV; Sarah Sosa, of Richmond, VA; Lizzie Roberts and Ben Roberts, both of Falls Church, VA; and Miles and Vaughn Wilson of Chesapeake, VA; and cherished “Super Poppy” of Peyton, Chase, and Claire. He was predeceased by his parents, Joseph and Margaret Gerardi, and his brothers, Ronald and Allen Gerardi.

Herb was born on June 12, 1934, in New York City, to the late Joseph and Margaret Gerardi. The second of three sons, he was raised with his brothers Ronald and Allen in Brooklyn, NY. Herb graduated from St. Francis Preparatory School and received his Bachelor of Arts Degree from St. John’s University, New York, in 1956. Following graduation he worked in advertising, first in New York City, then in Washington, DC where he met his future wife, Duchene King. Herb and Duchene married on September 11, 1965, and settled in Old Town Alexandria, VA where they raised three children. Throughout their life together, Herb and Duchene traveled extensively and shared their love of travel and adventure with their children. In 1975, Herb moved to the public sector, applying his many years of experience in the advertising world to developing successful promotion programs for the U.S. Department of Commerce and the U.S. Census Bureau. He retired from the Census Bureau in June 1997 after 22 years’ service.

Herb and Duchene were long-time members of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, now The Basilica of Saint Mary, and were active volunteers in both the Parish and St. Mary’s School, and they instilled their strong faith and unwavering devotion to their children. In his later years, after he moved to Avalon House Assisted Living in Falls Church, Herb attended weekly mass at St. Philip Catholic Church with his daughter, Jennifer, where he was blessed with infinite kindness, compassion, and support, especially in his last days.

Herb will be remembered for many things: his wonderful sense of humor, his strong faith, his love and support of family and friends, and his profound interest in history and current events.
However, what gave him the greatest joy and made him the happiest was spending time with his family – his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

The family will receive friends on Thursday, April 27, 2023, from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM at the Cunningham Turch Funeral Home, 811 Cameron Street, Alexandria, VA 22314. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, April 28, 2023, at 10:00 AM at the Basilica of Saint Mary, 310 South Royal Street, Alexandria, VA 22314. Interment will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery, 1000 South Royal St., Alexandria, VA 22314.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Philip Catholic Church, 7500 Saint Philip Court, Falls Church, VA 22042 or to the Goodwin Living Foundation – Hospice Fund

Offer Condolence for the family of Herbert Thomas “Herb” Gerardi

Gathering

Cunningham Turch Funeral Home

811 Cameron Street, Alexandria, VA 22314

04/27/2023

6:00pm - 8:00pm

Mass of Christian Burial

Basilica of St. Mary's

310 S. Royal Street, Alexandria, VA 22314

04/28/2023

10:00am -

Interment

St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery

1000 S. Royal Street, Alexandria, VA 22314

04/28/2023

11:30am -

Condolence Messages

  1. ROY GERARDI JR says:

    I am very sorry to hear the sad news of Herbie. Due to distance and age difference, I had few occasions to meet “Tuffy” as he was called, but he was special, one-of-a-kind, and I keenly remember him, his wife Duchene, and puppy “Braxton McAuliffe III”. My father, his first cousin Roy Gerardi Sr,, was very fond of Herbie, and always spoke highly of him. Herbie and I connected at George’s 100th Birthday Party, and I am so happy we had time to chat and catch up on the many years we never had the occasion to meet. My condolences to Heidi, Jennifer, Peter and their extended families… .

  2. Samantha and Bryan Lett says:

    Our deepest condolences for a man who was obviously loved so much by his family. May he rest peacefully with his wife in heaven.

  3. George Romine says:

    Our deepest condolences to Heidi, Jennifer, and Peter and to your families. June and I were very fond of your father and have many, many happy memories of him and your mother. You dad had a quick wit and that great impish grin and laugh to go with it. We we so glad were were able to see him in January at Peggy’s celebration of life. Even though he obviously had health issues, that wonderful, warm Herbie greeting was still there. You are in our thoughts and prayers.

    George & June Romine

  4. Jerome C. Leonardi says:

    I am so sorry to hear this news. The last time I saw Herbie – we called him Tuffy as kids – was at our house in Chester NJ. for Uncle Joe Ciulla’s 80th birthday. I remember his and Duchene’s wedding when I was 21. What a great time. His father was my Great Uncle Joe,and I loved him dearly. Uncle Joe’s sister, Lilly’s daughter, was my mother.
    God bless Herbie. He loved my sister Maggie, and we all loved Herbie. Hopefully, he’s in heaven with my mom, his dad, and Aunt Peggie and all the family.
    I will say a rosary for him. I cannot travel but will keep him in my heart and in my prayers.
    God bless him and all his family
    With love, affection, and sorrow
    His cousin
    Jerome Ciulla Leonardi

  5. Stephanie Scheel says:

    What a great photo! This certainly epitomizes this spunky and fun loving man who I’ve known my entire life. He will be missed dearly but greeted likely with pomp and circumstance by many dear friends and of course his love Dewey (hopefully not scolding him for taking so long to get to her!) ;-) And I just know they will all be watching closely on the Ward and Gerardi clan with extra special attention. How lucky we are to now have such amazing guardian angels in our 4 parents! Love all of you Gerardis like family and I walk with you with so much love and understanding. I look forward to celebrating this great man’s life on Thursday and Friday! ❤️

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