Gerard T. Melato

YORK Gerard Thomas Melato, 89, went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, July 20, 2010. Gerard was born on November 2, 1920, in Brooklyn, N.Y., to the late Rose (Risolio) and Nicholas Joseph Melato. He married Geraldine LaVonne Webster on August 17, 1946. The couple celebrated their 62nd anniversary before Geraldine's passing on November 19, 2008. Gerard is survived by their son, Robert Gerard Melato and his wife, Kathy of York, and their daughter, Mary Rose; and two daughters, Rosemary Ann Sieffert and her husband, Robert Bruce of York, their daughters, Carolyn (and her fianc<6>, Justin Heminger) and Kathleen (and her husband, Mike Ambroso), and Marilyn Jean Ryan and her husband, Gerard Edward of Enola, and their three children, Adam (and his wife Joy, daughter Alma), Laura, and Anna. He was predeceased by his three brothers, Henry, Raymond, and Ralph; and his six sisters, Ann Pellecchia, Helen Tedeschi, Nicolette Melato, Millie Napolitano, Sophie Siciliano, and Marion Melato. Gerard was the retired President of Combustion Heat and Power, Inc. of York, a company specializing in the design and construction of commercial and industrial power plants, boiler rooms, and related energy generating systems. Prior to WWII, Gerard spent three years with the Panama Canal Engineering Division preparing plans and drawings for bomb proofing the canal locks and machinery rooms against aerial attacks. Gerard then enlisted September 11, 1943, and proudly served as Lieutenant in the United States Army Air Corps as a Navigator and Bombardier during WWII, until his honorable discharge on January 3, 1946. He continued to serve his country in the Air Force Reserves until October 1958. Gerard enjoyed involvement in the York community in various ways as chairman of the publicity committee of the United Way, as charter member of the Cotillion Club, as one of the founders and president of the York branch of the International Wine and Food Society, as lifetime member of the Knights of Columbus, Council 1530, and as board member of the Home Association of the Council. In his retirement years, he enjoyed traveling the world with his wife, visiting with family and friends, and was an avid reader, keeping abreast of new technology and world financial news. Gerard was a faithful member of St. Patrick's Roman Catholic Church since 1955 as a designated special minister of Holy Communion, a member of the Charismatic Prayer Group, as a member of the Adults Activities Committee and a Greeter, and was on the Building and Grounds Committee. After moving in with his daughter, Rosemary, and her husband, Bob, four years ago, Gerard enjoyed attending First Assembly of God, York. He continued to grow in his relationship with the Lord his entire life and enjoyed reading his Bible and hearing sermons and worship music. He was adored and cherished by his wife, and greatly loved by his three children and their spouses, six grandchildren, a great granddaughter, extended family, friends, and all who knew him. Gerard was greatly respected among his peers as a man of faith, honesty, integrity, and as a true friend. He had a great sense of humor and enjoyed making people laugh with his quick wit and puns and was a man of generosity to those in need. Above all, Gerard is a precious child of God, followed Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior, and continually praised the Lord for all the blessings in his life. After a very long and happy life, he is now enjoying eternity in heaven in the presence of God. A viewing will be held at Heffner Funeral Chapel and Crematory Inc., 1551 Kenneth Road, York, on Friday from 6 to 9 p.m., with a memorial service from 7:30 to 8 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Patrick's Catholic Church, 231 S. Beaver St., York, on Saturday with a viewing from 10 to 11 a.m., and service at 11 a.m. Burial will follow immediately after at Holy Savior Cemetery, Susquehanna Trail, York, with full military honors provided by the York County Veterans Honor Guard. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Logos Academy School Capital Campaign Fund, which furthers their mission to bring Gospel-centered classical education to Center City York. Please mail contributions to P.O. Box 1272, York, PA 174051272. Send Condolences at BestLifeTributes.com