Emil John Gerard

Emil John Gerard, age 94, passed away at Cokesbury Village, Hockessin, DE, on Wednesday, January 16, 2019.

Born in Manhattan, NY on June 1, 1924, he was the son of John and Mary (Marino) Gerard. Emil was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1943, proudly serving in World War II. While in the service, he attended the University of Michigan in an accelerated engineering program. In 1947, Emil graduated from NYU with a degree in accounting. He became a CPA in 1966 and received his MBA from CW Post College of Long Island University in 1969.

Emil married Catherine Gaffney in 1954. His accounting career started with the Budd Company in the suburbs of Washington D.C., where his three sons were born between 1958 and 1961. He continued his career with a long stay at Lunn Laminates Fiberglass Company as a dedicated CFO and found his home as the Budget Director of CW Post College of Long Island University for over 25 years. Emil married Mary-Ellen deLude in December of 1973, and although they met later in life, they managed to reach their 45th wedding anniversary this past year. Emil’s pastimes were boating, golfing and woodworking. He was a member of St. Mary of the Assumption Parish and served on the parish council.

In addition to his parents, Emil was preceded in death by his first wife, Catherine Gaffney in 1970; his sister Marie Corbo; and his brothers, Anthony and Daniel. He is survived by his second wife, Mary-Ellen Gerard; children, Thomas Gerard (Laura), John Gerard (Monica) and Michael Gerard (Roberta) all of Newark; 5 grandchildren, Taylor, Molly, Daniella, Christian and Jonathan Gerard; nephews, John Corbo, Edmund J. Gaffney, Stephen Gaffney; and nieces Kara Ross, Keenah Comizio and Becky Campbell.

A visitation for family and friends will be held from 9:30 am until 10:30 am on Wednesday, January 23, 2019, at St. Mary of the Assumption R.C. Church, 7200 Lancaster Pike, Hockessin, DE 19707, where a Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 10:30 am. Interment will follow at St. Patrick’s Cemetery, 1528 Ashland Clinton School Road, Hockessin, DE.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Emil’s memory to St. Mary of the Assumption R.C. Church at the address listed above.