Obituary: Gerald Raymond "Jerry" Esposito

Gerald Raymond "Jerry" Esposito, a military veteran, union worker and enthusiastic and passionate musician, died of septic shock on July 14. He was 65.

The son of the late Raymond Joseph and Roberta Nadia Esposito "passed peacefully in the presence of his loving family … at Good Samaritan Hospital," family members wrote in an email to Patch.


Esposito grew up in the Hamilton/Lauraville area of Baltimore and received his high school equivalency diploma in 1967 while serving in the U.S. Navy.

He earned the rank of Seaman while serving honorably from June 1967 to March 1969. He was a member of the Navy's Mobile Construction Battalion 62 (Seabees) and served in the Vietnam War.

His service and bravery in action earned several medals and commendations, including the Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces Meritorious Unit Citation of the Gallantry Cross (Medal Color with Palm); Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces Meritorious Unit Citation Civil Actions Medal (1st Class Color with Palm); Navy Unit Commendation; Meritorious Unit Commendation; Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal; and the Vietnam Service Medal with three bronze stars, according to family members.

In a Letter of Commendation, Commanding Officer J.P. Jones Jr. of the U.S. Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 62 wrote:

"At approximately 0300 on August 23, 1968, in Da Nang Vietnam, Seaman Gerald R. Esposito's commendable prompt, unhesitant and courageous response, during the enemy attack on Charlie Company, and with the threat of subsequent rocket attack still imminent, manned the fire truck that wet down huts hit by incoming enemy mortar rounds, enabling other soldiers to evacuate to safety and recover the wounded, and remained at the scene of the fire, exposed to the potential danger of  incoming rocket and mortar rounds, exploding small arms ammunition within the flaming huts and downed electrical lines in the vicinity of the rocket impact area, in order to wet down adjacent huts thereby preventing the fire from spreading throughout the camp."

Esposito worked as a construction workers union contractor from September 1998 to July 2010.

Earlier in his life, he held positions with Bethelehem Steel Corp.'s Sparrows Point plant, 3M in Westminster and ASI in Baltimore.

Esposito was a musician and guitarist who was "passionate, gifted, with an innate ability and style all his own," according to family members.

He also enjoyed creative writing, including poetry and songwriting; camping—particularly at Assateague Island; going to Ocean City (and swimming in the ocean); cooking; and telling jokes.

He especially treasured spending time with family members and he loved a good discussion on just about any topic, family members said.

Esposito attended Lauraville United Methodist Church as a young man and explored other religions and faiths throughout his adult life.

"Gerald was a beloved son, brother, father, uncle, cousin and friend who will be missed greatly," family members said. 

In keeping with his wishes, Esposito's remains were cremated.

A memorial service to honor his life will be held Aug. 31, from 2 to 7 p.m. at Mount Pleasant Beach Hall, 1177 Wharf Drive in Pasadena, MD.