Gerald “Jerry” Ventresca, 86, of Ocala Florida died at home on Tuesday, May 10, 2022. He was born in Cecil Pennsylvania on March 12th, 1936 to the late Oliver and Lillian Ventresca. His death was preceded by his brother Oliver Ventresca.
Jerry was a carpenter for Ryan Homes for 23 years. He began his career in 1954 when Ryan Homes began building houses in the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania area and worked his way up to a regional supervisor for their carpentry crews. After leaving Ryan Homes, he moved to Florida, became a State Licensed Building Contractor and began building homes under his own company, Ventresca Construction in the Ocala Florida region.
Jerry had many hobbies which were woodworking, hunting, golf and motorcycle riding. He also had a love for flying and earned his Private Pilot License. He spent many weekends flying in a single engine Cessna with friends and family. Jerry was an avid sports enthusiast. His favorite team was the Pittsburgh Steelers which he saw play many times in Pittsburgh at Three Rivers Stadium and watched religiously on TV while in Florida. He also had and extraordinary koi pond in his back yard which was his pride and joy.
Jerry is survived by his wife Jackie after 65 years of marriage, his daughter Jeanine (Carl) Minucci from Pittsburgh Pennsylvania, his sons Gerald (Bob Allen) Ventresca from Ft Lauderdale Florida and Paul (Susan Johnson) Ventresca from Ocala Florida. He also had four grandchildren; Dana (Steve) Bloomburg of Mt. Lebanon Pennsylvania, Andrew (Kelley) Minucci of Oakdale Pennsylvania, Olivia Ventresca of Tampa Florida and Anthony Ventresca of Ocala Florida. There are also three great grandsons; Gino Minucci and Preston and Graham Bloomburg in the Pittsburgh Pennsylvania area.
Per Jerry’s wish, there will be no formal funeral services. He wanted us to focus on all the remarkable years of his life. In order to celebrate his life, a memorial celebration will be held in the Pittsburgh Pennsylvania area at a later date.
Any donations in memory of Jerry should be sent to the American Parkinson Disease Association at apdaparkinson.org.
Jerry is dearly loved and his memory will live in our hearts forever.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Baldwin Brothers Heritage Place Chapel, 954 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Suite 200, Ocala, Florida 34470.