GERARD JUSTIN ARCARI

1965 - 2022

ARCARI, Gerard Justin Age 57, of Gloucester, MA, died unexpectedly on November 14, 2022. Jay was born in Methuen, MA, to Gerard and Constance (Russo) Arcari on June 16, 1965. Nurtured by a large and loving Italian family, he grew up on the North Shore at the center of doting grandparents, aunties, uncles, and cousins. Music was always at the center of Jay's life and after graduating from Bishop Fenwick High School, he attended Berklee College of Music where he devoted himself to his passions of drumming and music history. He played with numerous bands, including touring in the 1990s with the Moving Targets in Europe and the U.S., and he remained active as a drummer until his death. Racing around on motorbikes in the Manchester woods and fixing up old muscle cars was a path to meeting his wife, Laura McCready, who benefited from the untimely demise of his Buick Skylark after a night of exuberant teenaged driving when his friend who was dating Laura's twin sister precariously towed the car with some rope to their house. That chance high school meeting resulted in a 29 year marriage and the birth of his sons, Nicholas and Enzo, the loves of his life after his wife. Jay had deep and abiding love for his family, friends, and business. His love language was labor and he was selfless and generous with his time (and van) to anyone who needed a helping hand. Landry & Arcari Rugs and Carpeting, his family business, was the other love of his life and he worked tirelessly and passionately for over three decades alongside his father, sister, and brother. Jay developed and ran the broadloom division and was especially devoted to the workers behind the scenes and he loved his carpet installation team like they were brothers. Jay had a tremendous sense of humor, deep and passionate opinions about music, spread his love of jazz fusion far and wide, and relished being the first in line for the chairlift at Mt. Mansfield on a snowy day. In addition to his wife, Laura; and sons, Nicholas Arcari of Queens, NY, and Enzo Arcari of Vancouver, Canada, Jay is survived by his parents, Connie Arcari of Magnolia, MA, and Jerry and wife, Dayse Arcari of Stuart, FL; sister, Julie, Doug, Ben, and Olivia Cook of Magnolia, MA; brother Jeffrey, Holly, Gus, and Oliver Arcari of Manchester-by-the-Sea, MA; Mary Jo Ficocello of Beverly, MA; and his scottish auntie, Irene Beattie of Magnolia, MA. He was a beloved uncle to 10 surviving nieces and nephews and we take comfort in knowing that his passion for music will live on through them. His funeral Mass will be held at Sacred Heart Church, 62 School Street, Manchester-by-the-Sea on Monday, November 21, 2022, at 11am. Relatives and friends are invited to attend. Visiting Hours will be in the Campbell Funeral Home, 525 Cabot Street, BEVERLY, on Sunday from 1 to 4pm. There will be a reception (and jam session) immediately following the Funeral. Contributions may be made in his name to Barakat Inc., an organization that provides education to young women in Pakistan and Afghanistan, or Berklee City Music, a program that provides disadvantaged kids music education and performance opportunities. Information, directions, and condolences at www.campbellfuneral.com