Born in the Red Hook section of Brooklyn, New York on March 28, 1947 to Benjamin and Catherine (Robbins) Nunziata, Geri lived in Red Hook for over 30 years before moving to Park Slope, Brooklyn. Geri loved her early years living in Red Hook with her parents and sister, Millie, and will always call Brooklyn her “home”. Geri married the love of her life, John E. Rath Sr., in October 1966 and were married for 43 years until his passing in December 2009. Geri and John had 2 sons, John Jr. and Darin, who were both born in Red Hook and raised in Park Slope. The family moved to North Brunswick, New Jersey in November 1996. One of the happiest moments of Geri’s life occurred in October 2010, when her granddaughter Makaela, who she lovingly called “Cupcake”, was born.
Geri’s greatest joys were being a wife, mother and grandmother, cooking for her family and friends, listening to music, watching movies and reading books. She was a loyal New York Rangers fan and loved catching up with old friends on Facebook. She was a devoted member of St. Augustine of Canterbury Roman Catholic Church in Kendall Park, New Jersey, where she attended mass weekly.
Geri was predeceased by her parents, husband and sister. She is survived by her two sons and their loving spouses, her granddaughter, her lifelong friend, Janet (Thurman) Balmes and many nieces, nephews and extended family members.
A truly beautiful woman in every sense of the word, she will be greatly missed but never forgotten.
A visitation for Geri will be held Monday, September 3, 2018 from 2:00PM to 5:00PM and 7:00PM to 9:00PM at Joseph G. Duffy Funeral Home, 255 9th Street, Brooklyn, New York 11215. A mass of Christian burial will occur Tuesday, September 4, 2018 from 10:30AM to 11:30AM at Our Lady of Perpetual Help, 526 59th Street, Brooklyn, New York 11220. A burial will follow at Calverton National Cemetery, Calverton, New York.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Geri’s favorite charitable organizations: ASPCA and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.josephgduffy.com for the Rath family.
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