Gerald Joseph Breindel

Gerald Joseph Breindel, 88, of 553 Wolfel Avenue, St. Marys, passed away on Friday, March 14, 2025 at Pinecrest Manor Nursing Home.

He was born January 30, 1937, in St. Marys. Out of thirteen, he was the eighth child of the late John and Loretta Fritz Breindel. Jerry was a lifelong resident of St. Marys and was a graduate of Central Catholic High School, class of 1955 and was a member of the St. Mary’s Catholic Church. Jerry began working part-time at B&R Electric on Railroad Street in 1953 while still in junior high school. Fifty-five years to the day, Jerry retired from B&R Electric Company. Following his retirement, he volunteered at the county recycling center where he developed many friendships with the workers and patrons. He served in the United States Army Reserves from 1958 through most of 1963. He was called up for the Cuban Crisis and spent ten months in Fort Bragg, NC.

On October 17, 1964, in St. Michael’s Church, in Cranford, NJ, he married Dale Arlette Johnson, who survives.

Jerry was an honorary lifetime member of the St. Marys Sportsmen’s Club, a lifetime member of the Knights of Columbus, and a member of the American Legion. Jerry always looked forward to hunting at his family camp, “Jack’s Lodge” each year and was proudest in 1994 when he shot a bear. Jerry was known by many for his homemade applesauce which he enjoyed giving away. Jerry was a happy-go-lucky guy who enjoyed making people laugh.

In addition to his wife, Dale, he is survived by two daughters: Kimberly Hartle (Michael) of Indiana, PA and Colleen Bowes (Aaron) of Kersey; a son, Eric Breindel (Kristine Fosnot) of Ridgway; seven grandchildren: Nathan, Noel, and Faith Hartle, Shawn and Bridgette Breindel, and Madeline and Samuel Bowes; two great grandchildren, Oakley Grace and Ashton Zayn; a sister, Carol Foster of St. Marys; brothers: George Breindel (Nancy) of The Villages, FL, Raymond Breindel (Sally) of Akron, OH, Robert “Butch” Breindel (Margaret) of St. Marys, and Blaine Breindel (Sally) of St. Marys; along with several nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, Gerald was preceded in death by four sisters: Eileen DePrater, Grace Meyer, Ethel Melillo, and Alice “Chip” Caruso and three brothers: Henry, Ivan “Tarzan”, and Walter “Popeye” Breindel; sister-in-law, Helen Breindel; brothers-in-law, Harold Meyer, Andrew DePrater, Thomas Foster, and John Melillo; and a niece, Michelle Wright.

There will be no visitation.

Funeral services for Jerry will be held privately by his family.

Memorial donations, if desired, may be made to Elk County Community Recycling Center, 850 Washington Street, St. Marys, PA 15857.