Jerry Zoppi, 95, Oceanport, passed away peacefully at home with his son Chris & daughter-in-law Sarah at his side on Friday, February 21.

Jerry was born in Newark, NJ on May 17, 1929; his parents were Gracie and Rocco Zoppi.  Jerry was the last to join his parents, three brothers and five sisters in heaven: Philip, Lillian, Antoniette, Beatrice, Katherin, Mike, Gracie and Allie.

Jerry grew up at 31 Cottage Place in Long Branch holding onto his mother’s apron while she was cooking.  His favorite thing to do in life was to cook.  He would ride the bus down Ocean Avenue to Deal and walk down Roseld Avenue to work as a caddy at Deal and Hollywood Country Clubs.

In high school, Jerry was a great athlete playing football, basketball and baseball.  On October 13, 1948, he joined the Navy.  Jerry was a fire control technician aboard the JSS Rockchester A124 Fox11 division, which was a heavy cruiser.  His ship was awarded 6 Battle Stars for action in Korea.  Fox Division was responsible for its accuracy of its fire power.  The Rockchester was called upon many times to give the US troops the fire support they needed to complete their missions.  A salute to Jerry and the fire control technicians that served aboard.  He was honorably discharged as a combat veteran on September 24, 1952.  He later joined the Bricklayers Union and shortly after that he started his own business from 1958-1985.  After retiring, he taught the Bricklayers Apprentice program for 10 years.

Jerry was predeceased by his wife of 65 years, Barbara and his son Jerry, a former US Marine.  He leaves behind four children, his daughter Jeanne Gari & her husband Brian, of Manhattan; his son Philip & his wife Cathy of Browns Mills; his son Christopher & his wife Sarah of Little Silver and his daughter Nicole Harvie of LA and ten grandchildren.

Jerry was loved by everyone he met and will be greatly missed by all his friends and family.

Visitation Friday, February 28, 4:00 – 8:00 pm at the Woolley-Boglioli Funeral Home, 10 Morrell Street, Long Branch.  Mass of Christian burial Saturday, March 1, 9:30 am at St. Michael’s RC Church, 800 Ocean Avenue, Long Branch.  Burial to follow in Woodbine Cemetery.

For messages of condolence, please visit Jerry’s page of tributes at www.woolleyboglioli.com.