Jerry Speziale

Gerardo“Jerry” Speziale, age 88, of Wayne, passed Wednesday, February 19, 2025.

He was born in Paterson to Bruno and Catherina Speziale and raised in West Paterson.  He was a graduate of Passaic Valley High School.

Jerry entered the US Airforce in 1953 while serving as an Airman 1st Class he received training as a Ground Radio Operator and Radio Interpreter Operator. While enlisted, he served two years in Hokkaido, Japan as a radio operator.  For his service he received the National Defense Service Medal and the Good Conduct Medal. Thereafter, Jerry was Honorably Discharged in 1957.

After completing his service in the military, Jerry returned to the family home in West Paterson. Soon after, Jerry entered the New York City Barber & Beauty School where he began his lifelong career as a barber. Jerry served as an apprentice barber at Fazio’s Barber Shop in Little Falls. Later on, he purchased his own barber shop on Market Street in Paterson called Gerard’s Barber Shop,” which he later relocated to Totowa. For the last forty years he has been a partner of Mario & Gerard’s Haircutters in Wayne.

Jerry lived in Paterson, Cedar Grove, and West Paterson before settling with his family in Wayne, his hometown for the past sixty years.

Jerry met the love of his life Barbara Padula through mutual friends at Passaic Valley High School. Their first date was to the Oxford Theatre where they saw the movie “Love is a Many Splendored Thing.” Not long after, Jerry asked Barbara’s father for her hand, to which he readily agreed as he was reassured his then future son-in-law would provide his daughter with a beautiful full life. And he surely did. After receiving her father’s blessing, Jerry proposed to Barbara at the Falls View in Paterson. Jerry and Barbara married on October 5, 1958, at Saint James Church in Totowa and had their wedding reception at The Circle Restaurant. They then set off for their honeymoon in Miami, Florida. Jerry and Barbara had a loving and devoted marriage of sixty-seven years that was blessed with love, kindness, faith, and two children, Jerry and Debbie.

Jerry was a gentle soul with a heart full of kindness. His sweet demeanor reflecting the beauty of his spirit. A deeply religious man, he found immense joy in his faith, which served as a guiding light in his life.   The pride he felt for his family was immeasurable; they were the highlights of his existence, filling his days with laughter and love.  Jerry’s barbershop was not just a place of work, but a sanctuary where each customer felt like a cherished friend-every haircut accompanied by heartfelt conversations and genuine care.  His car and wallet were adorned with memorial cards honoring those who had passed, and cards with prayers of all kinds, while rosary beads were lovingly placed in every corner of his home, reminding him of the sacred connections he held dear.  His grandchildren went through Jerry’s home, and each took a rosary to keep a little of Jerry close to their hearts. In Jerry’s world, love, faith, and community intertwined creating a tapestry of warmth and compassion that touched everyone he met. Although Jerry’s family was central to his being he also held his community close as well.  He was a member of the The Wayne Lions Club, and The Bartimaeus Club in Paterson.

Jerry and Barbara were founding members of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church in Wayne. He was currently a parishioner of Our Lady of Consolation Church in Wayne.  He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, Council 6354, a Eucharistic Minister, and each week attended a group aimed at honoring the late Monsignor Mark Giordano.

Jerry was the devoted husband of Barbara (nee Padula) Speziale; devoted father of Jerry Speziale and his wife Beatrice, and Debbie Mastrangelo and her husband Thomas; he was the cherished grandfather of Francesca Richmond and her husband Walter, Brittney Mastrangelo and her fiancé Tyler Hogan, Jerry Speziale, Jr. and his girlfriend Bruna Dos Reis, Paige Speziale and her boyfriend Michael Casasanta, Christopher Mastrangelo and his wife Allyson, Michael Mastrangelo, Kenny Kerwin and Connor Kerwin; he was the dearly loved great-grandfather of Madison, Adriana, Audriana, Emma, and Nicholas. Jerry will be forever missed by his family, and his memory will always be cherished. He is deeply loved.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations to Tunnels to Towers or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital would be greatly appreciated.