Gerald G.J. Sporay

Gerald G.J. Sporay, age 88, of Newark, DE passed away peacefully on January 6, 2019.

Born in Shenandoah, PA on November 15, 1930, he was the son of the late George Sporay and Helen Romaka. Gerald proudly served his country in the U.S. Air Force, spending much of his time in Germany and South Dakota.

In 1952 Gerald married his Shenandoah sweetheart, Loretta Subach and settled in Newark where he worked at Chrysler. In 1967, Gerald started working for Boeing where he was especially proud to have contributed to the development of the Boeing 747. He worked as a project manager at many of Boeing’s facilities around the country until retiring in 1993.

Gerald was a long time member of Holy Family Church and the Knights of Columbus and was devoted to his Catholic Faith. He was proud of his Lithuanian Heritage which he instilled in his children. In his spare time he enjoyed working on his house, repairing electronics including an expertise fixing TVs, reading books, listening to Big Band music, traveling around the country with his wife, and cheering for his beloved Phillies.

He is survived by his loving wife of 66 years, Loretta and their children, Dianne Brock (Gregory), Jerry Sporay, Jr., Elaine Wollaston (Martin), Bill Sporay (Anna), and Helmut Schwarzmann (Irmi); along with 10 grandchildren; 13 great grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. Coincidentally, his only brother, Bob Sporay also passed away on January 6 in 2009.

A visitation for family and friends will be held from 9 am until 10 am on Thursday, January 17, 2019 at Holy Family R.C. Church, 15 Gender Rd, Newark, DE 19713, where a Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 10 am. Interment with military honors will follow at 2pm at Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 2465 Chesapeake City Road, Bear, DE.

The family extends its sincere appreciation for the assistance of Delaware Hospice of Newark whose help enabled Gerald to live at home for months as his health declined.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Gerald’s memory to Holy Family Church, at the address listed above.