Herbert Thomas “Herb” Gerardi

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Herbert T. “Herb” Gerardi, age 88, of Falls Church, formerly of Alexandria, VA, passed away peacefully on Sunday, April 16, 2023, surrounded by his loving family.

Beloved husband of the late Duchene King Gerardi (2003), Herb is survived by his daughter, Jennifer Roberts and her husband Rohn, of Falls Church, VA; his daughter, Heidi Wilson and her husband Scott, of Chesapeake, VA; and his son, Peter Gerardi, of Miami, FL. Herb was the adored grandfather of Katie Roberts Ginevan and her husband Zach, of Berkeley Springs, WV; Sarah Sosa, of Richmond, VA; Lizzie Roberts and Ben Roberts, both of Falls Church, VA; and Miles and Vaughn Wilson of Chesapeake, VA; and cherished “Super Poppy” of Peyton, Chase, and Claire. He was predeceased by his parents, Joseph and Margaret Gerardi, and his brothers, Ronald and Allen Gerardi.

Herb was born on June 12, 1934, in New York City, to the late Joseph and Margaret Gerardi. The second of three sons, he was raised with his brothers Ronald and Allen in Brooklyn, NY. Herb graduated from St. Francis Preparatory School and received his Bachelor of Arts Degree from St. John’s University, New York, in 1956. Following graduation he worked in advertising, first in New York City, then in Washington, DC where he met his future wife, Duchene King. Herb and Duchene married on September 11, 1965, and settled in Old Town Alexandria, VA where they raised three children. Throughout their life together, Herb and Duchene traveled extensively and shared their love of travel and adventure with their children. In 1975, Herb moved to the public sector, applying his many years of experience in the advertising world to developing successful promotion programs for the U.S. Department of Commerce and the U.S. Census Bureau. He retired from the Census Bureau in June 1997 after 22 years’ service.

Herb and Duchene were long-time members of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, now The Basilica of Saint Mary, and were active volunteers in both the Parish and St. Mary’s School, and they instilled their strong faith and unwavering devotion to their children. In his later years, after he moved to Avalon House Assisted Living in Falls Church, Herb attended weekly mass at St. Philip Catholic Church with his daughter, Jennifer, where he was blessed with infinite kindness, compassion, and support, especially in his last days.

Herb will be remembered for many things: his wonderful sense of humor, his strong faith, his love and support of family and friends, and his profound interest in history and current events.
However, what gave him the greatest joy and made him the happiest was spending time with his family – his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

The family will receive friends on Thursday, April 27, 2023, from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM at the Cunningham Turch Funeral Home, 811 Cameron Street, Alexandria, VA 22314. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, April 28, 2023, at 10:00 AM at the Basilica of Saint Mary, 310 South Royal Street, Alexandria, VA 22314. Interment will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery, 1000 South Royal St., Alexandria, VA 22314.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Philip Catholic Church, 7500 Saint Philip Court, Falls Church, VA 22042 or to the Goodwin Living Foundation – Hospice Fund