Dr. Joseph Anthony Gerardi entered into his eternal reward on Tuesday, March 12, 2024 at the age of 67. He passed away at his home in Clovis, California surrounded by his wife, family, and friends, following a long struggle with cancer.
Joe was born in New York City on September 13, 1956 to Joseph and Edna Gerardi, and grew up in Massapequa, Long Island with his siblings Jill, Joy, and Jeffrey. He attended the University of Colorado at Boulder before entering Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences, where he received his Doctorate of Osteopathic Medicine.
Before all else, Joseph Gerardi was a peerless husband, father, friend, and man of faith. He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Sharon Nemechek Gerardi who was a medical school classmate. Sharon was his constant caretaker and advocate throughout his illness, and the love of his life. Their legacy of love is carried on by their children Michael (wife Megan), John (wife Holly), Christine, and Joseph Gerardi, and by their grandchildren Madeleine, Sophia, John, Alice, Elizabeth, Jane, James, and Victor. He is also survived by his siblings Jill Gerardi Hiers and her husband Clyde, Joy Gerardi, and Jeffrey Gerardi and his wife Tara. Joe was a faithful Catholic who supported and volunteered for the Church in a variety of capacities.
Following his graduation from medical school, Dr. Gerardi served as a physician and officer in the United States Navy from 1982-1990. He completed an internship in the department of surgery and a residency in the department of orthopedics at the US Naval Hospital in San Diego, California, after which time he served in the department of orthopedics at the US Naval Hospital in Guam. Following his honorable discharge from the Navy in 1990, Dr. Gerardi completed a fellowship in pediatric orthopedic and scoliosis surgery at Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Crippled Children in Dallas, TX.
The Gerardi family moved to the San Joaquin Valley in August of 1991, when Dr. Gerardi began his work as a pediatric orthopedic surgeon at Valley Children's Hospital. He retired in 2023 after more than 31 years of care for thousands of children. Thanks to his leadership, Valley Children’s boasts one of the finest pediatric orthopedic departments in the country.
In everything he did, Dr. Gerardi brought cheerfulness, optimism, kindness, and humor. Dr. Gerardi loved Valley Children’s Hospital: the institution, what it stands for, and the people that worked there. While it would be impossible to name all of his friends and colleagues at the hospital who were dear to him, our family wishes to extend our gratitude to the staff of the orthopedic department and to his nurses Stephanie Fisher, Kim Sutters, and Lori Ricci, who selflessly assisted him with loving care at home at the time of his death.
Joe was an avid long-distance runner and golfer. Our family thanks his friends from Fort Washington Country Club, who gave him joy, friendship, laughter, and support over the last years of his life, and throughout his battle with cancer.
During his illness, Dr. Gerardi was assisted by devoted healthcare professionals. Our family extends our gratitude to the physicians and staff at USC/Keck Hospital, St. Agnes Medical Center, and Fresno cCARE Cancer Center. Special thanks to Drs. Hooman Djaladat, Kyle Cologne, Thomas Minor, William Carveth and William J. Jawien.
The family wishes to extend its gratitude to our pastor Fr. Michael Andrade, who gave Dr. Gerardi the last Sacraments before his death, to Bishop Joseph Brennan for his love and friendship, and to the many priests who offered prayers and Masses for Dr. Gerardi during his illness and following his passing.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Dr. Gerardi's memory to Valley Children's Hospital, Right to Life of Central California, and the Obria Medical Clinics of Central California.
A Funeral Mass for Joseph will be held Tuesday, March 26, 2024 at 10:30 a.m. at Our Lady of Perpetual Help, 929 Harvard Avenue, Clovis, California 93612.
Following the Funeral Mass will be a Committal Service at Clovis Cemetery, 305 North Villa Avenue, Clovis, California 93612.
Contributions in Joseph's memory may be made to Valley Children’s Healthcare Foundation, 9300 Valley Children’s Place M/S PC17, Madera, California 93636, https://www.valleychildrens.org; Right to Life of Central California, 1742 E Griffith Way, Fresno, California 93726, https://righttolifeca.org; and Obria Medical Clinics of Central California, PO Box 5197, Fresno, California 93755, https://obria.org/fresno/clinic/fresno-ca.
