Friday, January 7, 2022
Approximately 22 years ago we first met Jerry when I enrolled our son Adam into his wife's and his prechool called "Come Sit With Me: located in the heart of Cliffside Park, NJ. My son, who was only three years old back then, would light up when we would take him to preschool there. The warmth combined with great socialization, fun and education that he received there could not be matched! Years later when our son Adam was in middle school I started working at "Come Sit With Me" as a teacher's assistant where I got to know Jerry even better.
Jerrys wife, Mary Ann Ascione was the director of "Come Sit With Me" and Jerry was always there as a co-director putting together wonderful experiences for the children that gave them so much joy and laughter. Jerry worked hard helping his wife Mary Ann keeping things in order which made the preschool the success that it became. And Jerry did it with laughter and the children adored his sense of humour and smiling face.
Some of the best times were holiday celebrations there. The excitement would be contagious! Jerry would be Santa Clause every Christmas season like clockwork. He had me almost believing that he was the real Santa with his ho ho hos, bells jingling, jolly face and having each child sit on his lap whispering in his ear what they really wanted for Christmas. He participated in the singing of Christmas Carol's and handing out gifts to each child. It was a wonderous time that will always be treasured.
Jerry's fondness for yummy food also played a big part in enjoying Christmas at the preschool and other holiday's there and special events. He always would go shopping and bring back the perfect goodies for every occasion. He was a natural at it as well as helping decorate the school for each event.
Jerry would make me laugh with some of his stories and memories of fun times of his life. He and his wife Mary Ann had a special bond that couldn't be surpassed. Truly "For Better or for Worse". They celebrated even smaller milestones together and Jerry would love showing up with flowers for Mary Ann for these. You could see the excitement on Mary Ann's face as well as on Jerry's when he would arrive with these gifts that were truly from the heart.
Jerry, who we all called "Mr. Jerry" was unlike no other and he will be so very, very missed and always loved. God desperately needed a man like Jerry to be with him in Heaven.
