Anthony M. Gerace

Cheshire - Anthony (Tony) M. Gerace, 89, passed from this life on Tuesday, April 18, 2017 at his home in Cheshire, Connecticut with his devoted wife June by his side. Tony was born September 20, 1927 to Frank and Josephine (Mangipane) Gerace in Waterbury, Connecticut, the youngest of 3 children. He graduated from Crosby High School in 1944.

At age 17 Tony enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. Following his honorable discharge from the military, he returned to Waterbury and courted then married his first wife, Sophie Kopack in 1949 (who died in 1965).

Anthony’s career led him to become a union steward of local 1251 in Waterbury CT and he then was elected President of the local and served in that capacity until he became an International Representative for the UAW. He also served as Assistant Regional Director for Region 9a. He had a long and successful career as an International Representative for the United Auto Workers (UAW), well known as a distinguished negotiator who prided himself in his efforts to always be fair and reasonable.

He was a devout Catholic, most recently attending St. Thomas Becket Catholic Church. He found joy in volunteer work at St. Thomas Church (Waterbury) and was an active member of the St. Thomas Holy Name Society where he played softball, bowled and participated in many fundraisers. He took great pride in being a lector at Mass. Tony loved to spend time with his family and friends. At Christmas time he prepared his famous antipasto, a cherished Italian tradition.

He was a lifelong, voracious reader, gardener and a close follower of politics and elections. He loved an occasional trip to Mohegan Sun and was a dedicated fan of UCONN basketball. He followed Cincinnati Reds baseball and New England Patriots football. He looked forward to his daily trips running errands. His evening routine always included watching Jeopardy. Tony was well known by many people in his community for his positive outlook on life and his sense of humor. He was the consummate gentleman known best for his humility and charm.

Tony married June Lynch Fortier in 1972 and together they had 8 children among them, eleven grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren. He is survived by his children, Michael Gerace, William Gerace and his wife Lynn, William Fortier and his wife Jeannine, Susan Goffin and her husband James, Geraldine Lauria and her husband Gregg, Lori Fortier-Recchia and her husband Anthony, Pamela Pinheiro and her husband Al, and Robert Fortier. His grandchildren Melissa Hicks and her husband Roger, Jeffrey Gerace and his wife Julie, Justin Gerace, Jessica Lovejoy and her husband Chris, Edward Jeracka, Rebecca Fortier and her partner Steven Aldea, Jamie Goffin, Robert Fortier and his wife Cara, Jordan Gerace and his wife Jessica, Gianna Gerace and Jonathan Pinheiro. His great grandchildren Patrick, Travis, Nathan, Emma, Joey, Evan, Jaxon, Steven, Julianna, and Alex. He also leaves his brother-in- law Joseph Lynch and his wife Phyllis and sister-in-law Catherine Corso. Anthony leaves his nephews Father Joseph Napolitano, John Napolitano, and Robert Gerace and his wife Marilyn.

He was predeceased by his infant daughter Catherine Mary, his brother Charles Gerace and his wife Louise; his sister Anne Napolitano and her husband Vincent, his brother-in-law Victor “Babe” Corso, his sister-in-law Jean Miller and her husband Lloyd and his sister-in-law Josephine Kostecki and her husband Peter.

There are no calling hours. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 AM on Monday, April 24th at St. Thomas Becket Church, 435 North Brooksvale Rd. Cheshire CT. Friends are asked to meet directly at church. Burial will follow at St. Bridget’s Cemetery, Higgins Road, Cheshire.

Anthony’s family would like to thank Doris Medina from Hartford HealthCare Home Group for her thoughtfulness and compassion during this difficult time.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Veterans’ Committee, c/o Robert Dorr, 1569 Thomaston Avenue, Waterbury, Connecticut 06704.