Gerard A. "Jerry" Carnevale

GERARD A. “JERRY” CARNEVALE, 90, of Pheasant Drive, Cranston, passed away Saturday, November 21, 2020 at Cedar Crest Nursing Center in Cranston. He is survived by his beloved wife of sixty-seven years, Marie Rose (DePalo) Carnevale. Born in Cranston, Jerry was the son of the late Antonio and Angela (Marchetti) Carnevale. He is preceded in death by his siblings Thomas, Antonio, and Robert Carnevale, Mary Jo Colaiacomo, and Anna Smith. He was the devoted father of Gerard A. Carnevale, Jr, (Cpt. Cranston Police Department) and his wife Laureen, and Janice L. Montanaro and her husband Arthur, all of Cranston; cherished grandfather of Jonathan Montanaro and his wife Hollie, Lauren Nackel and her wife Jenna, and Daniella Carnevale and her partner Ryan O’Dell; and loving great-grandfather of Luca Jon. Jerry is also survived by several step grandchildren, Jessica Hunter, Daniel, Derek, and Justin King and step great-grandchildren Alexis King,  Nataliyah Iavarone,  Derrick "DJ" King Jr. and Eliyanah Iavarone.

Jerry was a life-long Catholic and devoted parishioner of Holy Apostles Church, where he was a member of the Men of St. Joseph. He was a U.S. Navy veteran, and spoke proudly of his service to all who would listen. Before retiring, he worked at Cornell’s Dairy for 15 years and Precision Chrome Plating for over 30 years. Jerry spent his life in service of others. Known to his family as “Mr. Fix-It,” he was never more than a call away. He was an avid woodworker, creating beautiful furniture and other pieces for his family and friends. Jerry loved spending his time cooking with his wife. He would make an abundance of home-made pizzas for family events or Sunday dinners, often sending trays down to his grandchildren’s sports games or the Cranston Police Department where his son worked. 

Jerry treasured opportunities to volunteer. When his children were young, he volunteered with the Boy Scouts and Campfire Girls, and later in life at the Cranston Senior Center, where he was also a member. At his church, his wife Marie would often accompany him to fix the pews and tend to anything that needed to be done. He loved the church’s festivals, where everyone always said he made the best french fries. Perhaps most illuminating of his character, for a number of years Jerry maintained an abandoned cemetery near his house, wanting to ensure dignity for those buried there. 

His funeral and burial with military honors will be private and visiting hours are respectfully omitted. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: Holy Apostles Memorial Fund, 800 Pippin Orchard Rd., Cranston, RI 02921.

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