Gerald F. "Jerry" DeCarlo, 60,
of Ironwood, Mich., died Saturday, August 3, 2013, surrounded by his
loving family, at Essentia Health-St. Mary's Medical Center in Duluth,
following a brief, courageous battle with lung cancer. Jerry was born Jan. 31, 1953, in Ironwood,
Mich., son of Tom and the late Louise (Champagne) DeCarlo, attended St. Ambrose
Grade School in Ironwood, and graduated from Ironwood Catholic High School in
1972. He worked at Quality Rubber in Wakefield until 1981, then worked with his
dad at Tom's Sheet Metal in Ironwood until 1991 when he took over the business,
renaming it DeCarlo's Sheet Metal Shop and operating it up until the time of his
death. Jerry was active in Boy Scouts for five years,
played Pee Wee hockey in Ironwood for three years, and was a member of the Sons
of the American Legion, Post 27 of Bessemer, Mich. He also bowled in range area
leagues for many years. He enjoyed word search puzzles, deer hunting and fishing
with friends, especially his dad, working outdoors and tinkering in his garage.
He was a kind and generous man with a great sense of humor. A loving husband,
dad, son, brother, uncle and cousin. Jerry will be deeply missed by all who knew
him. On Oct. 1, 1983, he was married to Lori
Buccanero at St. Ambrose Catholic Church in Ironwood by the late Very Rev.
Thomas Ruppe. Lori survives. Also surviving are two daughters, Amanda
DeCarlo (Brian Stella Jr.) and Jerika DeCarlo, both of Ironwood; his father, Tom
(Marilyn), Ironwood; two brothers, Tom (Carol), Ironwood, and John "Jack" (Kyong
Hui), Newport News, Va.; an uncle, Joe DeCarlo, Ironwood; three aunts, Fran
Loreti, Hurley, Wis., Ann (Knute) Hammer, Edmonds, Wash., and Teresa Peterson,
Duluth; nieces and nephews, Rick DeCarlo, Ashland, Wis., Candee (Jeff) Wiemeri
and Gina DeCarlo, both of Ironwood, and Louise (Greg) Umfleet and Frances
DeCarlo, both of Virginia; numerous great-nieces great-nephews and cousins; special family friends, the Andrashies;
his bestest girl, Baylee; and numerous other close friends. Out of respect for Jerry's wishes, cremation
has taken place. Memorial services will be held Wednesday, Aug.
14, at 11 a.m., preceded by visitation at 9:30 a.m., at the McKevitt-Patrick
Funeral Home, 305 N. Lowell St., in Ironwood, with the Rev. Robb Jurkovich
officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may
be made to Regional Hospice Services, Inc., 100 S. Mill St., Bessemer, MI
49911. Condolences can be given to Jerry's family
online at mckevittpatrickfuneralhome.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to
McKevitt-Patrick Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Ironwood.