Salvatore Gerardi

Salvatore (Dooley) Gerardi, 52, of Grant City, an elementary school teacher and coach whose positive attitude inspired his students, and a dedicated family man, died Saturday at home.

Born and raised in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn, he graduated from Lafayette High School in his native borough.

Mr. Gerardi earned his bachelor's degree in education from Wagner College, Grymes Hill, where he played on the Seahawks hockey team.

He had been working as a gym teacher at St. Joseph Hill Academy for 28 years, and formerly held the same position at St. John Villa Academy.

Mr. Gerardi loved hockey and had played in the Greater NYC Ice Hockey league. He shared his love for the sport and his skills, volunteering as a hockey coach at St. Peter's Boys High School for 12 years, during which time the team won six city championships.

A talented athlete, he had played baseball and softball, and played on Mr. G's men's softball team in the Gil Hodges league. He also coached his son's Biddy Boys basketball team at Hill.

Mr. Gerardi was a role model for his students. His dedication to his profession and positive attitude combined with his innate ability, inspiring them work hard and do their best, both in sports and in life.

Many of his students have come forward to say how much he meant to them, his family said.

Mr. Gerardi enjoyed cooking and entertaining family and friends.

He was an outstanding individual, a loving husband and father who will be deeply missed, his family said.

He was a parishioner of St. Ann's R. C. Church Church, Dongan Hills.

Surviving are his wife of 14 years, the former Diane Kling; his son, Christian; his mother, Doris Gerardi; his brothers, Daniel Jr. and James, and his sisters, Catherine Gerardi and Babe Paul.

The funeral will be Thursday from the Bedell-Pizzo Funeral Home, Tottenville, with a mass at 11 a.m. in St. Ann's R.C. Church. Burial will follow in Moravian Cemetery, New Dorp.

Services: St. Ann's RC Church Thursday, March 26, 2015 11:00AM

Visitation: Bedell-Pizzo Funeral Home Tuesday, March 24, 2015 & Wednesday, March 25, 2015 2-4 & 7-9PM

Cemetery: Moravian Cemetery

Location: Bedell-Pizzo Funeral Home

Church: St. Ann's RC Church