Vito Peter Gerardo

Peter Gerardo passed away on Tuesday, April 12, 2011. Vito was born on October 13, 1926 in Chicago, Illinois. The son of Peter and Nancy Gerardo. Vito grew up on the north side of Chicago where he attended Cameron Elementary School and Crane Tech High School where he played football. He also was a member of the Boy Scouts of America. In 1938 Vito became a big brother when his mother and father gave him his younger brother, Peter. After graduating from Crane Tech High School, he seriously considered attending Purdue University, but persuaded his parents to allow him to join the Navy at 17. He served on the USS LSMR-522 and USS LSMR-521 during World War II. Following the war, Vito was introduced to Laura Adeline James of Heaton, N.D. by her cousin, a fellow Navy shipmate. Laura and Vito were married in Chicago in 1948. Following his discharge from the Armed Forces, Vito worked for his father in the trucking business while continuing his education in aeronautical drafting during the evenings. In 1949, Vito and Laura became the proud parents of their first child, Nancy, while he continued to work for his father in the trucking industry. Following the birth of their first son, Victor, in 1953, Vito and Laura moved their family to Franklin Park, Illinois, and in 1960 relocated again to Wilmette, Illinois, a northern suburb of Chicago. Gerardo & Son Motor Service – continued to expand and prosper. In addition to hauling dry freight, Vito purchased a second trucking company – Park Trucking – that specialized in hauling sand and gravel. In 1961, their second son, Chris, was born. The family continued to reside in Wilmette until 1967 when – on the advice of a family doctor – they made the decision to move to the Valley of the Sun. The move to Arizona was difficult for Vito, whose mother had been diagnosed with cancer, and the fact that he was leaving the family business that he had grown and operated for the past 20 years. However, he did not hesitate in making the move because he knew living in the warmer and dryer climate would be the best decision for his children. After relocating to Phoenix in August of 1967, Vito commuted regularly to Chicago to see his family, visit his beloved mother who passed away in April of the following year, and transition the management of the family business to his younger brother, Peter. Never afraid of hard work or a new challenge, Vito obtained his commercial real estate license in 1970 and specialized in the sale of apartments and mobile home parks. In 1972, he obtained his real estate brokerage license and formed Windsor Company which specialized in the sale of income property. A true entrepreneur at heart, Vito decided to go into the homebuilding business in 1977 and developed a small subdivision of approximately 25 homes in North Phoenix.

Having a passion for golf, Vito was a member of Arizona Biltmore County Club and La Costa Country Club. In 1980, he moved to La Costa, Calif. to build more homes and enjoy the cooler climate. Unfortunately, Vito’s first son, Victor, passed away unexpectedly in October of 1981. Following Victor’s passing, Vito returned to Phoenix in 1987 to be closer to his daughter, son and grandchildren. Vito retired in 2007 after working for Wackenhut Security and joined a local chapter of the American Legion. Vito loved his family with all his heart, loved people and he adored children. He had little regard for material things or his own financial well- being – preferring instead to always help his family and friends. He was always optimistic, and very proud to be an American and to have served his country that he loved so much. He is survived by his brother, Peter; first wife, Laura; daughter, Nancy; son, Chris; grandchildren, Jason and Shaun (Nancy Gerardo), Carter and Tessa (Chris Gerardo) and great granddaughter Ella (Jason Gerardo), as well as his many dear friends. Visitation will be from 5 to 9 p.m., Monday, April 18th at Whitney & Murphy Funeral Home, 4800 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix, Arizona 85018. Funeral Mass is scheduled for 10a.m., Tuesday, April 19th at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, 4715 North Central Avenue, Phoenix, Arizona 85012. Interment will follow at St. Francis Catholic Cemetery.