Obituary
Gerald A. Ventresca
March 12, 1936 – May 10, 2022
Gerald “Jerry” Ventresca, 86, of Ocala Florida died at home on Tuesday, May 10, 2022. He was born in Cecil Pennsylvania on March 12th, 1936 to the late Oliver and Lillian Ventresca. His death was preceded by his brother Oliver Ventresca.
Jerry was a carpenter for Ryan Homes for 23 years. He began his career in 1954 when Ryan Homes began building houses in the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania area and worked his way up to a regional supervisor for their carpentry crews. After leaving Ryan Homes, he moved to Florida, became a State Licensed Building Contractor and began building homes under his own company, Ventresca Construction in the Ocala Florida region.
Jerry had many hobbies which were woodworking, hunting, golf and motorcycle riding. He also had a love for flying and earned his Private Pilot License. He spent many weekends flying in a single engine Cessna with friends and family. Jerry was an avid sports enthusiast. His favorite team was the Pittsburgh Steelers which he saw play many times in Pittsburgh at Three Rivers Stadium and watched religiously on TV while in Florida. He also had and extraordinary koi pond in his back yard which was his pride and joy.
Jerry is survived by his wife Jackie after 65 years of marriage, his daughter Jeanine (Carl) Minucci from Pittsburgh Pennsylvania, his sons Gerald (Bob Allen) Ventresca from Ft Lauderdale Florida and Paul (Susan Johnson) Ventresca from Ocala Florida. He also had four grandchildren; Dana (Steve) Bloomburg of Mt. Lebanon Pennsylvania, Andrew (Kelley) Minucci of Oakdale Pennsylvania, Olivia Ventresca of Tampa Florida and Anthony Ventresca of Ocala Florida. There are also three great grandsons; Gino Minucci and Preston and Graham Bloomburg in the Pittsburgh Pennsylvania area.
Per Jerry’s wish, there will be no formal funeral services. He wanted us to focus on all the remarkable years of his life. In order to celebrate his life, a memorial celebration will be held in the Pittsburgh Pennsylvania area at a later date.
Any donations in memory of Jerry should be sent to the American Parkinson Disease Association at apdaparkinson.org.
Jerry is dearly loved and his memory will live in our hearts forever.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Baldwin Brothers Heritage Place Chapel, 954 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Suite 200, Ocala, Florida 34470.
www.BaldwinCremation.com
I will forever remember all the memories of you, especially of everything you taught us growing up from ice skating in the backyard on ice rink you made us, playing ping pong in the basement, taking us to bowl at the bowling alley….to riding our trail motorcycle’s at our cabin in the mountains or in the woods behind our house in Cecil. Nor, ever forget your words of wisdom about life in general.
To the many times you drove us to Florida for family vacations and visit the Allen’s, and the one and only time you flew us to Florida in your airplane….only to eventually move us here to live.
Dad, your #1 and your memories will live forever in my heart. Love, Gerald
I’m so grateful for all the memories I have of us to look back on. From feeding the koi together, watching the Magnificent Seven with you and Anthony, doing laps around the backyard while you timed me, and countless more memories.
Thank you for everything you taught me.
I love you so much and miss you greatly.
Love,
Olivia
My heart is heavy after hearing of Jerry’s passing this week. It’s an unimaginable void that can’t be filled. After reading his obit it’s evident he lived a full and wonderful life. I feel honored to have had the opportunity to know him the last several years. He was always quick to tell me a joke or a story whenever he had the chance. And it was evident that he loved his family from the way he spoke of all of you. I know he made an impression on Olivia and Anthony just from the stories they would tell me while they were growing up.
I’m continuing to lift you up on prayer
Linda
My heartbreaks for the void your family is feeling right now. Jerry was a wonderful man and I feel blessed to have known him these last several years. He was always quick with a joke or a story to tell and it was evident how much he loved his family from listening to him talk about them. I’m continuing to lift you up in prayer.
Thank you for all the great memories and for everything you taught me. You helped me learn to love the game of golf and you always made sure to remind me that if I wanted to hear some “real music” I needed to turn on some Louis Armstrong. I’ll never forget the memories we made, I love and miss you so much.
Love,
Anthony
There are so many moments in my life that I will always remember. Not because they were important but because YOU were there.
It won’t be the same without you.
I know you are smiling down on all of us!
Thank you for the life you gave us, your time, and your love,
Love , Jeanine
It’s impossible to put into words what you mean to me. And it’s extremely painful to realize your time here on earth has come to an end.
I’m very thankful God gave me a father (and mother) with unconditional love. Who no matter what had happened were always there to help me back up when life had knocked me down.
I do believe I will see you again one day. And until then I will imagine you riding your Honda Gold Wing alongside Bill Allan and Buddy Rogers. You and Uncle Oliver out spotting deer.
Or even you playing golf with Arnold Palmer and Bobby Jones ( I look forward to joining the foursome one day).
You will be dearly missed and forever in the hearts of Mom, family and friends.
Love Always,
Paul
PS: Thank You for teaching me everything I know about building construction.
Although, our hearts are heavy, Gerald lived a wonderful life especially in Cecil next to the Powner’s family.
He was truly a remarkable man and family member.
Dave and I have been blessed to have visited him and family in December (making homemade gnocchi for him and my mom’s Italian chicken)
Heaven is celebrating to accept such a wonderful man.
Love to all
The McDowell Family