Tribute Wall
Wednesday
21
January
Public Visitation
4:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Wednesday, January 21, 2026
Norman Dean Home for Services
16 Righter Avenue
Denville, New Jersey, United States
(973) 627-1880
Thursday
22
January
Funeral Service
10:00 am - 10:30 am
Thursday, January 22, 2026
Norman Dean Home for Services
16 Righter Avenue
Denville, New Jersey, United States
(973) 627-1880
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Helen Primavera uploaded photo(s)
Thursday, February 26, 2026
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Gerry, you are and will always be the love of my life.
My best friend.
My home.
There are no words big enough to hold the space you filled in my life. You were more than my husband — you were my safe place, my steady ground, my constant comfort in a world that can feel so uncertain. Loving you was the easiest thing I have ever done, and losing you has been the hardest.
You were always so helpful — never needing to be asked twice, never turning away from someone in need. Whether it was family, friends, or even a stranger, you showed up. That was just who you were. Kind. Friendly. Steady. The kind of man people felt safe around.
You were always prepared — for everything. A plan in your mind, tools in your hands, solutions before problems even had time to grow. You took care of things quietly, without needing praise. You just wanted me to feel secure. And I did. Because of you.
You loved our home. Not just the walls and roof, but what it represented. Family. Warmth. Togetherness. You built more than a house — you built a life filled with love and laughter. Every corner holds a memory of you. Every room echoes with your presence. I still feel you here — in the quiet mornings, in the familiar routines, in the spaces where your love still lingers.
But more than anything, you loved me. Fiercely. Completely. You gave me your time, your strength, your heart. You were proud of me. Protective of me. Devoted to me. Being yours — your wife — has been the greatest honor of my life.
You were my best friend. The one I could laugh with. The one I could lean on. The one who understood me without words. We shared dreams, worries, inside jokes, long talks, comfortable silences. We built a lifetime in moments both big and small.
There is an emptiness now that can never truly be filled. But there is also gratitude. Gratitude that I got to love you. That I got to walk beside you. That out of all the lives in this world, ours intertwined.
You may no longer walk beside me, but you walk within me — in my heart, in my memories, in the way I carry forward the love you gave so freely. I see you in our home. I feel you in the strength you taught me.
You were, and always will be, the love of my life.
Until we meet again. ❤️
I will love you always and forever
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Dominick Angione posted a condolence
Sunday, February 15, 2026
A few years ago, I remember sitting with Gerry and telling him, “You weren’t lucky enough to be born into this family, you earned your way in.” As I reflect on my lifelong interactions with him, I know I was right when I said that.
When my Dad became incapacitated and wheelchair bound it was Gerry who went out and bought a van so my Dad could still join family gatherings that were so important to us all. Helen and Gerry would pick Mom and Dad up in that van and bring him to Dan’s for every holiday party and barbeque. My nieces and nephews would line up to greet their Grandparents and help get Dad from the van into the house to join the party. When the party ended it was the reverse, grandkids walking Mom to the car, a group effort to support Dad, Helen and Gerry bringing Mom and Dad home. It wasn’t me, Dad’s namesake, who did that, it was Gerry, once again showing the love to my Mom and Dad who over the years had become his own Mom and Dad. It was also hands on learning for those grandkids on how to pull together as a family in difficult times.
I’ve heard lots of talk about how Gerry loved to fish and how he shared that love with his family whenever we visited his home, but I have a different take, it wasn’t so much about the fishing but about the connections that developed while we fished. Whether it was me proudly displaying my three-inch sunny or Gerry helping Sam and Cassie bait their hooks it was together time that bonded him to us all. As I watched a line of my nieces and nephews stand up to speak about Gerry, I recognized how effective that fishing time meant to us all.
When there was trouble Gerry was usually first on the scene and last to leave. I can recall one Thanksgiving Dad was walking the family dog and came upon some guys relieving themselves by the park, Dad confronted them and there were some harsh words, when Dan, Harry, myself and Gerry who was every bit of 6’3” and 240 pounds came piling out of the house, the guys took one look and just ran away. Gerry could be intimidating back then! It wasn’t just about being big, he was caring, after Dan passed away Gerry consistently stayed in touch with Nancy to support her in those troubling times, Michelle gets sick, there’s Gerry driving her to doctor visits, when my own life journey got rocky, there was Gerry on the phone showing the love and support he gave to us all.
So that’s my story of life with Gerry, a guy I was lucky to have come into my life and for 50 years to show my family and I that he loved us all and we loved him right back.
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Dana Lanzendorfer uploaded photo(s)
Thursday, January 29, 2026
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When I think about the moments that truly captured who Uncle Gerry was, my mind goes straight to the water. For as long as I can remember, our days included boat trips, fishing, going to the beach, exploring, and ice cream. I’ll never forget the summers I spent a few weeks there and the love of the water that came with it.
Some of my favorite memories are of those early fishing trips. The sun barely up, the world still asleep, and there we were—happy out on the boat, seeing what nibbles would come. Waiting for a bite wasn’t just waiting; it was storytelling, gaining advice, laughing, and sharing wisdom. And somehow, he always managed to make it fun, even if the fish weren’t biting at all.
The lake was where Uncle Gerry shined but we also shared a love of exploring. Whether it was casting a line, checking out sinkholes, or playing with the radio in the back room. Hot coco nights and coffee mornings. Their house taught us that joy doesn’t have to be loud or complicated. Sometimes it’s as simple as a tackle box and good company.
And of course, there were the moments that still make us laugh— like family on the paddle boat and having the paddles break. Those memories are treasures now, reminders of how much happiness each of those days brought.
Even later in life when he traveled to Assateague Island, we loved to visit and are so happy to have been introduced to such a beautiful place. Sharing those memories with my own children brings so much joy. Whether it was kayaking, experiencing the fun of showering under the stars outside, or just hanging by the camper. Those memories are moments they will never forget.
What I’ll hold onto most is the way he made you feel included and at peace. Their home created a space where we could slow down, breathe, and just be together. Those days on the water weren’t just hobbies—they were gifts. Gifts of time, laughter, and love. His legacy will live on in every sunrise over the water, every cast of a fishing line, every moment we choose to pause and appreciate the beauty of the world around us.
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Ryan Brooks lit a candle
Wednesday, January 21, 2026
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I will always remember going out on the boat with Uncle Gerry on White Meadow Lake. Sometimes we’d go out fishing or other times it was just to take a trip around the lake on a summer night. If we were going to his house in the summer a boat ride was always expected!
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Brianna Stanley lit a candle
Wednesday, January 21, 2026
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Growing up i made wonderful memories with Aunt Helen and Uncle Gerry. Uncle Gerry taught me all I know about fishing. I’ve been on so many boat rides, even as an adult. That day at the house we had so many laughs, Uncle Gerry talked Connor’s ear off and vise versa about computers, past jobs, and life experiences. I accidentally blew up my life vest and had to be rescued (obviously Uncle Gerry was the first by my side laughing at me). My favorite memory was getting to go on a trip with Uncle Gerry and Aunt Helen before meeting the rest of the family for crabbing. I talked about that trip forever and all the time spent with 2 of my favorite people. Uncle Gerry will be very missed by anyone that had the pleasure of meeting him.
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Edward Clark lit a candle
Wednesday, January 21, 2026
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Gerry and I met interacting together with our many community issues over the 20+ years living in White Meadow Lake. Even though we may have had differences of opinions from time to time we both realized that we always enjoyed our conversations, fishing, boating, budgets, lake discussions and collaborations. Gerry will be missed my me as well as many others. My condolences to his other friends and family! Prayers to Gerry, may he rest in peace. Ed Clark
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al jaworowski posted a condolence
Tuesday, January 20, 2026
I knew Gerry from my high school years.Gerry WA2SLR and Bob WA2SQQ were always an encouragement to pursue a
career in electronics and radio.Had many a road trip when had his 1968 Nova as he too had an intrest in cars.He will be sorely
missed.
Al Jaworowski N2QOH
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Emily Brooks posted a condolence
Monday, January 19, 2026
There was never a time when I wasn’t excited to have a sleepover at Aunt Helen and Uncle Gerry’s house. He would take me on boat rides and help me catch some fish. He’d always bait my hook and take the fish off for me because he knew I was grossed out by both (but not without letting me get an up close look at the fish first). When I was younger, I often carried around bags of snails that he helped me catch. As we got older, he shared his love in different ways. Making sure we knew about bad weather coming in our direction, giving us different tools in case the power went out, and stopping at our new houses for hours to help set up electrical wires and make sure everything was safe. His gentle and thoughtful nature never failed to make me feel loved. Uncle Gerry was there for all of our miles stones growing up and was more than just an uncle, but a core part of my family. I miss him so much, but I know he is with other members of our family doing the things he loved.
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Sammy Leeds (Angione) posted a condolence
Monday, January 19, 2026
One of my very first core family memories is going to Uncle Gerry’s house for barbecues. He would set up a fishing pole for every single cousin and he always baited the hook for me because he knew I was completely grossed out by the mealworms. That was Uncle Gerry: paying attention, caring in the quiet ways, making sure everyone felt included. He had a special gift for bringing our whole family together through something he loved so dearly. Fishing wasn’t just a hobby to him—it was a way to connect, to teach, and to create memories that would last far beyond the day itself. One summer, I stayed for a weekend at Uncle Gerry’s and I remember being more excited than I had ever been to wake up early. We were going fishing on the lake. We didn’t catch much at all, but that never mattered. What mattered was being there with him—listening as he taught me where to fish and where not to, learning simply by watching and being present. There was something incredibly peaceful about being out on the water with him, something that has stayed with me ever since. Those moments are priceless now. They are memories I will carry for the rest of my life. I know Uncle Gerry is out there now, casting lines in heaven, already finding the best fishing spots and getting ready to show us all when we meet again. I hope he knows how deeply he is loved, how much he taught us, and how forever grateful we are for the time we had with him.
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Diane Taylor posted a condolence
Monday, January 19, 2026
Gerry was the go to person for so many of us and for a variety of subjects. He knew so much about so many subjects. You could call him for directions anywhere in NJ and without checking (didn't have google maps back then) he would give you landmarks along the way so you were sure not to get lost. I wasn't good with direction and would get lost on a regular basis, but would never get lost if I got them from Gerry. He was to the rescue if you had any household issues. When I was a single parent it was Helen and Gerry that would be there to pick up the kids or babysit when grandparents weren't able. He taught my son Dean how to fish and knew how to spoil the kids without being obvious. He would promise the ice cream if they would eat dinner and they knew Uncle Gerry meant they had to finish the meal. Gerry had the love of camping for as long as I knew him. In my/his early days I was lucky enough to go camping with Helen and Gerry several times. Throughout their years they graduated to bigger RV's until their last which was basically a house on wheels. When ever they were anywhere in the area they would give the dates early so we could plan a visit, if they weren't hosting at their house they were hosting at their campsite. When thinking of Gerry I think of his love for camping and his love for the lake. A visit to their home wasn't complete without a boat ride around the lake. Gerry was always doing for others. I will forever be grateful for all he did for my children, for me, for my siblings, for my parents, but mostly for the LOVE that was so evident with his LOVE of my sister. You are greatly missed!
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Nancy Angione posted a condolence
Monday, January 19, 2026
I will always remember when Dan passed away Gerry would call me a couple times a week so I wouldn’t feel so alone. He would call and chat with me about what he did that day and was always encouraging me to do things. I will always miss our talks. I talked only a couple of times with him or texted and he would sent a heart or a face with zz. I will miss rides on the lake in the boat which everyone loved. I miss the camping trips and sitting time around the campfires. I will miss him deeply. Rest in peace till we see again
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Larry Allen posted a condolence
Monday, January 19, 2026
Gerry and I started working together in 1977. He showed me how to install radios in public safety vehicles. We became friends and coworkers again when I returned to Warner Communications in 1986 after my Navy Service. We spent many years as friends outside of work that included a lot of weekend outdoor work, fishing on the lake, dinners, comedy nights, and just hanging out. Gerry will be sorely missed and I feel lucky to have been able to call him my friend.
Larry Allen
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Michele Stanley posted a condolence
Monday, January 19, 2026
I will always remember my visits with Uncle Gerry and Aunt Helen in the summer. We would go for a ride out on the lake after dinner and then go for ice cream. He always told me that I couldn't go if I didn't finish my dinner. He taught me to drive a boat for the first time on one of those visits.
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Adrianna Stanley posted a condolence
Monday, January 19, 2026
One of my favorite memories of Uncle Gerry is going to visit him and Aunt Helen when they were camping at Silver Springs campground near my house. Uncle Gerry and I played tic-tac-toe and I won every game (pretty sure he let me win) and we made smores.
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June Rush posted a condolence
Monday, January 19, 2026
I am so sad to hear of Gerry's passing. He was such a kind man and very helpful to me. I met him at the 'Y'. I had mentioned to Helen that I was going to buy a snowblower but had no idea about how to use it. Gerry came over and began to tell me that after I purchased it he would come over to help me. He set it up, got it started and continued to come over to maintain it when needed. I am so impressed as to his knowledge about so many things and also his perseverance with his exercise as he struggled with so many medical problems for so many years. All of us at the 'Y' will truly miss him. Helen and Family, you are in my prayers.
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Bob Kozlarek WA2SQQ uploaded photo(s)
Monday, January 19, 2026
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Our mutual interest in the radio hobby was responsible for our friendship that started over 55 years ago. Gerry was entering Kearny, driving from Florida, when I met him on the radio. Gerry got a job at the local Shop Rite on Bech St in Kearny and I was working at the local Dairy Queen. Together we studied for our amateur radio license, with the assistance of members of the North Arlington Defense. (Photo above 1970).Our interest in electronics guided both of us into career positions in that field.
We shared many memorable experiences, but one stands out. Gerry had to put up a new antenna on the day freezing rain was predicted. Gerry got stuck on the roof when the rain started freezing. He yelled down to me and asked me to go to Shop Rite and get some salt. Well, all they had was Morton table salt … I’ll never forget Gerry salting the roof in the freezing rain!
We learned a lot from each other. A few months before he passed I visited him. We reminisced and both realized how far that one radio contact had gone. I’ll miss him…..
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Annette Brooks uploaded photo(s)
Sunday, January 18, 2026
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Being the youngest of five - and the only one under 5’3” - my big brothers were everything to me. Gerry was the epitome of a big brother. He taught me to drive on his Suburban in Hoboken - saying if I could drive through Hoboken in a Suburban I could drive anywhere. He dried my tears with every teenage broken heart. He cheered me on through all of the ups and downs of life.
When Marty and I were looking for a house, we spent quite a bit of time looking in White Meadow Lake. I think he was choking at the thought. Helen and I talked every day - I called him with a million questions - and now I would be able to walk to his house!! Lucky for him we moved ten minutes away so he had a little reprieve from me.
But then I had kids - and they started spending all of their time there. Helen was the spoiler - and he was the fake heavy hand. He told me one time how my nephew was “buying” a snow blower from them - but as my nephew Joe handed him money with one hand, Helen was handing it back to joe with the other hand! She thought he didn’t know but of course he did - he just acted like he didn’t.
Gerry took care of everyone. He was there every day for my parents, and taught us all how to take care of the nurses with bagels and pastries every day! They became “Fred and Ethel” to Helen and Gerry’s “Lucy and Ricky”. But Gerry wouldn’t have had it any other way.
We will miss Gerry terribly. But his biggest concern was that we would take care of Helen - and I promised him we always would. So Helen hop in the back seat
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Cassandra Vozzo uploaded photo(s)
Sunday, January 18, 2026
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As my siblings and I grew up, we were frequently spoiled by Aunt Helen, with Uncle Gerry often trailing in the shadows, turning a blind eye to the money she snuck us or the fact that she let us eat ice cream for dinner. As a now adult I realize how pivotal his background participation in her front and center spoiling really was. He would drive out the early mornings of Black Friday to make sure we had exactly what we wanted for Christmas, never getting upset when we called at 6am on Christmas morning to scream about what Santa bought us. He would lower the temperature of his hot tub so we could swim in it as if it were an in ground swimming pool, yet he let her take all of the credit as the perfect aunt. He always gave us a silent, yet unconditional love. As I got older and went away to college, they came to visit me every semester on their trips to Assateague. I spent summers weeding his yard to make extra money. He didn’t need much help weeding, but he knew I needed the extra money. Then, as I pursued my career in nursing, his quiet love and allowance of Aunt Helen suddenly disappeared! When he would speak to any doctors or nurses at Gagnon, it was HIS niece the nurse, not theirs. Making him proud was one of my biggest life’s achievements. He never failed to answer my calls and rush me off the phone, but I cherish each conversation we had. I drove that man nuts, but I never once questioned how much he loved me. I am grateful for every moment I had with him, and I will love him forever.
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The family of Gerry Primavera uploaded a photo
Sunday, January 18, 2026
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Michael Ilardi posted a condolence
Sunday, January 18, 2026
Gerry Primavera was a great friend and mentor to me. When I moved to White Meadow Lake and started attending board meetings Gerry was President. I would bring concerns about security to his attention, he always explained what was happening and why my concern was hard to control. I was amazed at his knowledge of the WML documents and procedures. Then I ran for a seat on the board and Gerry assigned the security committee to me and said fix it. The same issues still exist he was right they are hard to control. Gerry spent many years on the board and continued volunteering up to a few months ago. Dedicated people like Gerry are what make WML the great place it is to live. I thank Gerry for his years of service and for teaching me so much over the years and to him and Helen for their friendship. I’m President now and know firsthand how much Gerry contributed to White Meadow Lake. He will be truly missed.
Michael and Donna Ilardi
16 RIGHTER AVENUE, DENVILLE, NJ 07834
(973) 627-1880
info@normandean.com
DAVID G. MILNE, MANAGER NJ LIC. NO. 4301
SERVING THE DENVILLE, ROCKAWAY, PARSIPPANY, Mt. Lakes, Boonton,
Morris Plains & SURROUNDING AREAS OF NEW JERSEY SINCE 1957
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