Andrew J. Gerardi

Colonie - Andrew Joseph Gerardi, 96, passed away on December 2, 2023 after a short illness. He was born in Schenectady, NY, on April 8, 1927, to Italian immigrant parents Joseph and Catherine Gerardi. He was a lifelong resident of Schenectady, having grown up in the Hamilton Hill area.

Andy was a hard-working man. His first job was selling newspapers at the age of 8 to help support his family. He worked all through his teen years and graduated from high school with a vocational degree in machine repair. Andy then proudly served in the US Army as a medic’s assistant from 1945-1946. After his honorable discharge, he was employed by the General Electric Company as a machinist for 37 years. Upon retiring from GE, Andy took a job at Albany Valve & Fitting, working for another 32 years. He valued the friendships he formed with his co-workers there, until he fully retired at the age of 89.

Andy married Angeline Costanzo in 1952. They moved to the Town of Colonie to raise their family, where they lived the rest of their lives, and were married for 59 years until Angie’s passing in 2011.

Andy’s fondest childhood memory was helping out on his uncle’s farm in Galway, which led him to be an avid gardener, always having a beautiful garden throughout his life. He was also able to fix anything with an engine or motor including cars, lawnmowers, tractors, snow blowers. His motto was always, “If you want something fixed, do it yourself, then you’ll know it’s done right.”

In addition to his wife and parents, Andy was predeceased by his sisters Mary Riccio and Rose DeVito. He is survived by his sister-in-law, Jennie Zampella, and children Joseph Gerardi, wife Peggy, Catherine Gerardi, Anthony Gerardi, and Rose Sullivan, husband Scott, family friend Lucinda Santiago and cherished niece, Janet Zampella, as well as several other nieces and nephews. He is also survived by grandchildren Amanda Bigham (Richard), Alison Gerardi, Michael Dolence (Carla), and great-grandchildren Angeleina and Andrew Bigham and Riley and Aaron Joachin Dolence.

Funeral services will be private.  In lieu of flowers, donations in Andy’s name may be sent to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105; or Animal Protective Foundation, 53 Maple Ave, Glenville, NY 12302. To leave a message of condolence for the family, visit www.CannonFuneral.com