Gerlando Costanza

Gerlando (Jerry) Costanza, 86, of Dongan Hills, a retired businessman who is remembered for his joyful spirit and his devotion to his family, died Sunday at home.

Born and raised in Brooklyn, he moved to Staten Island in 1990.

Mr. Costanza owned Vicki's Sportswear, a clothing manufacturing business, until retiring in the early 1980s.

He had many interests, including antiquing and listening to music. He collected and restored vintage gramophones and record players, and was particularly fond of music by bandleaders Harry James and Glenn Miller.

Mr. Costanza loved to cook, and every Sunday he made an Italian feast for all 20 members of his family - and anyone else who happened to walk through the door.

Jerry was an extremely hardworking man with a witty sense of humor and personality, said his daughter, Vicki Feinmel. His nine grandchildren were his life possessions. He never missed a dance recital or baseball game, and was always seen with a video camera in his hand. He never wanted to miss a moment and wanted to capture every memory.

Surviving Mr. Costanza, along with his daughter, Vicki, are his wife of 60 years, the former Mary Anastasia; his daughters, Kim Sartini and Debra Johnson; five sisters, Vivian Cassone, Laura Cassone, Rose Conti, Mary Euliano and Gloria Giacoppo; and nine grandchildren.

The funeral will be Wednesday from the Bedell-Pizzo Funeral Home, Tottenville, with a mass at 9:30 a.m. in St. Thomas the Apostle R.C. Church, Pleasant Plains. Burial will follow in Resurrection Cemetery, also Pleasant Plains.

Services: St. Thomas the Apostle RC Church Wednesday, January 29, 2014 9:30AM

Visitation: Bedell-Pizzo Funeral Home Tuesday, January 28, 2014 2-4 & 7-9PM

Cemetery: Resurrection Cemetery (Staten Island)

Location: Bedell-Pizzo Funeral Home

Church: St. Thomas The Apostle RC Church