Gerald L. Pettigrass

AUBURN | Gerald L. Pettigrass, 70, of Genesee Street, Auburn, passed away peacefully Friday afternoon July 13, 2012, at Crouse Hospital, surrounded by his loving family, after a courageous battle with lung cancer for the past seven months. He was born in Auburn on June 4,1942, the son of the late John J. Pettigrass Sr. and Mary Giannone Pettigrass and had been a life resident. Jerry spent the past 12 years vacationing in the winter months in Naples, Florida with the love of his life, his wife Carole. Jerry was a West High School graduate, class of 1960. He was a lifetime communicant of St. Francis of Assisi Church, where he was very active as a lector, Eucharistic minister and was involved in numerous church functions. Jerry was a graduate of Simmons Mortuary Arts and Sciences. He was a second generation funeral director having owned and operated the Pettigrass Funeral Home for more than 40 years. Jerry celebrated his 50th year in 2012 having had his funeral license. He was an Army reserve having served for six years in the New York Army National Guard in Fort Drum. Jerry was a former member of the Knights of Columbus, Sons of Italy, and charter member of Dutch Hollow Country Club. He enjoyed golfing, bowling and playing tennis in his youth. He was an avid New York Yankees baseball fan, having been to numerous games including the very first game at the new Yankee Stadium with his son, Jerry. He also enjoyed watching many sports events and would seldom miss a Syracuse basketball or football game. Some of Jerry's other hobbies were playing the stock market, trips to the casinos, preventative lawn maintenance, and a daily trip to Hess Gas Station for a cup of coffee. He also loved traveling and especially enjoyed the numerous cruises spent with his wife and children. He loved his family unconditionally and will be sadly missed by every one of them. Jerry left a legacy in Auburn that will never be forgotten and will always be remembered. Words can never express how grateful we were to have had this special man in our lives and in yours. He is survived by his loving wife of 42 years, the former Carole Wilcynski Pettigrass, of Auburn; two children, Andra Jordan and her husband, Jay, of McLean, Va., Jerry Pettigrass and his wife, Alison, of Auburn; six grandchildren, Alexa and Will Jordan, Evan ,Alec, Ava and Cole Pettigrass; two sisters, Irene Wiehe and her husband, Irwin, of Gladstone, N.J., and Susan Thurston and her husband. Earle. of Auburn; two sisters-in-law, Lillian Pettigrass, Joyce Kreydatus and her husband, Robert, all of Auburn, as well as several nieces, nephews and cousins. In addition to his parents, Jerry was predeceased by his brother, John J., a prominent local attorney, and an infant sister, Joyce. Due to air conditioning issues with St. Francis of Assisi Church, friends and relatives are invited to join the family at 10 a.m. this Wednesday at in St. Hyacinth's Church for Gerald's Mass of Christian burial with the Rev. Louis Vasile as celebrant. Burial with military honors will be held in St. Joseph's Cemetery. Calling hours are 5 to 8 p.m. Monday and 3 to 7 p.m. Tuesday in the Pettigrass Funeral Home, 196 Genesee St., Auburn. Contributions may be made in Jerry's memory to the American Cancer Society, 6725 Lyons St., East Syracuse, NY 13057.