Gerald J. Stefanick

Gerald J. "Jerry" Stefanick

Gerald J. (Jerry) Stefanick, 82, of Cresswell Gardens, Ashland, passed away peacefully on the morning of Wednesday, July 9, at Grandview Nursing and Rehabilitation.

Born on November 3, 1942, at Ashland State Hospital, Jerry was the beloved son of the late Peter and Florence (Kegolis) Stefanick.

He was a proud graduate of Mahanoy Area High School, Class of 1960, where he earned All-State honors in basketball. His athletic talent earned him a full basketball scholarship to Villanova University, where he graduated in 1964 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance.

Jerry began his professional career with the U.S. Department of Labor, serving as a Wage and Hour Investigator for 10 years. He later became self-employed as a Wage and Hour consultant, a role he held for 40 years. Among his many accomplishments, he was especially proud of his 34-year tenure as a Business Consultant to the Professional Golfers' Association (PGA).

A passionate tennis player, Jerry played the sport for 48 years and continued to enjoy it nearly every day while wintering in Madeira Beach, Florida. There, he competed with players from around the world, including Czechoslovakia, Canada, Italy, Lithuania, Poland, and Scotland.

Jerry was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 47 years, Ann (Womer) Stefanick. He is survived by his brother, Peter, and wife Alice of Olalla, WA; sisters Carol Clarke of Wilmington, DE, and Sandra Smith and her partner Fred Kraus of Lewisburg, PA; stepdaughter Lisa Lute of Holly Hill, FL; and nephew Sean Smith of Pottsville, PA.

A practicing Catholic, Jerry also served in the United States Marine Corps Reserves. He was a proud member of the Frackville American Legion and the Northern Anthracite Chapter of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame.

A visitation will be held on Saturday, August 2, at St. Charles Borromeo Church in Ashland from 9:00 AM until the Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 AM. Interment will follow at St. Louis Catholic Cemetery in Frackville. Arrangements are being handled by Kull-Heizenroth Funeral Home Inc, 901 Centre St, Ashland PA 17921. For more information visit www.kullfuneral.com