Obituary of Gerald A. Giordano

Gerald A Giordano, March 25, 1928-August 14, 2014 Gerald A. Giordano, 86, passed away at home, on Thursday, August 14th. Surviving are his children, Jerry Giordano, Jr., Joanne Giordano and Gregory Giordano; his longtime companion April Moulton, and many friends from nearly 40 years at the Lakeland Hills YMCA, where he was admired as a dedicated patron and weight lifting champion in his 70s and 80s. Born on March 25, 1928, as the middle son of Italian immigrant parents, who both hailed from Somma Vesuviana (next to Mount Vesuvius two hours outside Naples), Giordano used hard work, discipline, creativity, self-taught knowledge, determination and lots of charm and personality to put him on the fast track to achieving the American Dream. He was a high school athlete, a U.S. Marine, a husband, a father, successful salesman and businessman, camping expert, wine aficionado, weightlifter and wise old soul. Most people simply knew him, affectionately, as "Big G." As a child, after the great depression, he grew up working at "Joe's Market," the family fruit and vegetable store in Newark, N.J.; as a young kid, he also held jobs at the local bowling alley, butcher shop and pool hall, among others. Later, he proudly wore number "32" on his East Orange High School Football Jersey, graduating in 1946. Eager to follow his older brother, Russell, who he admired greatly for his service in WWII, especially in Okinawa, Japan (where he didn't take his sock and shoes off for 101 days!), "Big G" also enlisted in the Marine Corps, training at Camp Lejeune, N.C., and, eventually, serving in WWII and Korea, including stints as an MP (Military Policeman). After his military service, he hopped a tramp steamer and travelled Europe. After that, back in NJ, he heard his buddy talk about making money in Alaska, and he set off on another great adventure, working on the Al Can Highway. The road eventually led him back to N.J., where, working as a bartender, he met the parents of his future wife, Joan Ruth Furchak. They married in 1960 and soon had three children. He moved the family to suburbia, settling in Parsippany, N.J., and life began to take root. Big G admitted having "29 jobs" (including as a private detective) before finding his true niche at National Telephone Directory, where he was the self-proclaimed "best salesman of all time," leading a team selling Yellow Page ads (before the Internet, THAT was ubiquitous!); he also is credited there with inventing the Reverse Street Directory. He spent 29 years at the company, trained the next CEO, retired before his 50th Birthday, and never wore a necktie again! Big G used his profit sharing to start his second career and bought and ran two successful mobile home parks at the Jersey shore, which he owned and operated until the day he died. Big G was an early adopter and took up camping in the 70s, first with a small pop-up trailer and, eventually, touring the U.S. with family in a motorhome that logged tens of thousands of miles, visiting almost every state in the continental US (without any GPS!) and creating a lifetime of memories. He got up early, stayed up late and spent nearly 40 years as a devoted member of the Lakeland Hills YMCA, where he rarely missed a workout. It was there he met his longtime companion, April, and made many friends and lasting relationships. Big G loved competition and recognition and won many awards along the way (some shown in the picture). He was honored at work for salesmanship, at home for outdoor Christmas lights and at the Y for weightlifting. He was a great dancer, especially the Jitterbug, an even better Italian cook, an amazing provider for his family, a wine connoisseur, a great lover of jazz and old movies, an avid reader, especially poetry, literature and the classics, he watched sports, especially, football and loved going to NYC for theater and restaurants (he had his own directory of favorite spots on index card organized by area well before Zagat!). He was truly a Renaissance man, innovative, organized and quick witted; he had a penetrating voice and passion for life, few who met him ever forgot him … he will be greatly missed by all who love him. Visiting hours will be held on Sunday, August 17th from 2-4 pm and on Monday, August 18th from 6-8 pm at the Norman Dean Home For Services, 16 Righter Avenue, Denville. Burial at the Brigadier General William C. Doyle Veterans Memorial Cemetery will be held on Wednesday, August 20th at 2:30 pm in the chapel. In lieu of flowers, kindly consider donating in his memory to the "Give A Kid the Y" Program, c/o Lakeland Hills YMCA 100 Fanny Road, Mountain Lakes, NJ, 07046. To read entire obituary or leave a message of condolence, please go to www.normandean.com