Gerard "Jerry" Semel

Celebrating the Life of Gerard Alexander Semel Sr. Age 78 (1946 - 2025)
Gerard A. Semel Sr, better known to many as "Jerry" lost his battle against Alzheimer's in the early morning hours of Wednesday, February 12, 2025. He will be missed as a beloved husband, father, brother, and friend. His love of military, bowling and self-education are a few of the things that will be fondly remembered by friends and family.
Born December 13, 1946, to the late Alexander J. Semel, Jr., and Pauline G. Springer Semel, in New Orleans, LA. Jerry was a 1966 graduate of Redemptorist High School in New Orleans, LA, and obtained a BA in Computer Science from Delgado Community College in New Orleans, LA. He then joined the U.S. Navy in October 1969 serving 4 years of Active Duty. He began his service in Norfolk, VA on the U.S.S. Harry E. Yarnell and was also stationed on a U.S. Navy Base in Morocco, Africa. Upon returning to the U.S., his service continued as a Computer System Operator and ADP-Occupations 213 and received an Honorable discharge in October 1973. He then served and completed 2 years in the U.S. Naval Reserves, departing in June 1975. He continued his military service in the National Guard. Jerry began a 31-year long career with the Sewerage and Water Board (S&WB) of New Orleans in 1975 while he completed his military service. He retired from the S&WB of New Orleans as a Utility Plant Machinist Supervisor 1 in January 2006.
Not long after his honorable discharge from the U.S. Naval Reserves, Jerry's next adventure began with his lovely bride Mary Egan Semel in July 1976 while continuing to serve in the National Guard and work for the S&WB of New Orleans. Their only son, Gerard A. Semel, Jr arrived in November 1981. He was a loving father and caring gentle person who wasn't confrontational and rarely had a bad word to say.
Jerry enjoyed many years of bowling in leagues and achieved several 300 sanctioned games. He enjoyed collecting firearms, stamps, & coins. He prided himself on being self-educated and enjoyed documentaries of all kinds, higher mathematics, science, astronomy, chemistry, and physics. Reading his books was a passion for him. He was great with ballistics and was like a walking encyclopedia on so many topics. Sadly, in later years he became inflicted with Alzheimer's and fought courageously for several years finally losing the battle against it in February 2025.
Jerry is survived by his wife Mary Egan Semel, son Gerard A. Semel Jr, brother Glenn M. Semel Sr & wife Tammy A. Jackson Semel (nephew Glenn M. Semel Jr, wife Shanna Butler Semel, children Jorden Semel, & Madison Semel), brother Charles J. Semel (fiancée Angela Patton Campise), sister Debra A. Semel Quinn & husband John Quinn (children William Forrester, Michael Paul Forrester, Anthony Montoto), sister-in-law Beatrice Semel, sister-in-law Ruth Egan, brother-in-law Alvin Egan Jr, sister-in-law Eva Whitorth & husband Chuck Whitworth, brother-in-law John Egan & wife Vickie Egan (Children Bryan Pearson, Timmy Pearson, & Daisy Egan).
Jerry is preceded in death by his father Alexander J. Semel Jr, mother Pauline G. Springer Semel, brother Alexander L. "Larry" Semel, niece Paula A. Semel, father-in-law Alvin L. Egan Sr, mother-in-law Shirley Jones Egan, sister-in-law Barbara Egan.
Relatives & Friends are invited to attend the visitation located at:
Tharp Funeral Home, 1600 N. Causeway Blvd, Metairie, LA 70001, 504-835-2341
On Tuesday, February 25, 2025: Visitation will begin at 11:00 AM with services at 1:00 PM
In Lieu of flowers memorial contributions in Jerry's name may be made to:
Gigi's Playhouse Down Syndrome Achievement Center:
https://gigisplayhouse.org/neworleans/
https://connect.clickandpledge.com/w/Form/54dc94f3-a5dc-4f95-8fd3-356bfd0a47bd