Jerry (Gerald Paul) Raffa

April 15, 1956 - September 22, 2019

Jerry (Gerald Paul) Raffa, 63 years of age, who called both Sea Isle City, New Jersey and Saint James City, Florida his home passed away Sunday, September 22, 2019 surrounding by his loving family and friends. Jerry was born April 15, 1956 in Sea Isle City, New Jersey to Gerald Paul and Claire Raffa.

He is survived by his wife Janet; children, Jeralyn Raffa, Jennifer Fox and husband Steve Fox, Vanessa Derose and husband Nick, Valerie Knieriem and husband Shawn; grandchildren, Lauren Fox, Kiki Fox, Jack Knieriem and Elise Derose; sister, Annemarie Raffa; brother, Peter Raffa as well as many, many extended family and friends. 

Jerry graduated from Villanova College with an accounting degree.  He was a real estate developer and owner/operator of Oceans 12 Realty as well as Awesome Joe Racing.  He was the CFO of JF Builders and is famous for giving Sea Isle the Fungo’s Cheesesteak. Jerry was also a world renown chef for family and friends in both Sea Isle and St. James City. He had an inexhaustible passion for home, family, friends, cooking, cars, Bruce Springsteen and Philanthropy.  He did whatever it took to make sure other people were happy and his constant compassion could not go unnoticed.  He was genuine, charming and his quick wit could light up a room.

Memorial services will be held at 20-88th in Sea Isle City, New Jersey on Saturday, October 19, 2019 at 1:00PM.

Memorial contributions in memory of Jerry Raffa are suggested to Wounded Warrior Project, PO Box 75817, Topeka, Kansas 66675-8517.

Guestbook

  1. Michael Marriner Sep 28, 2019 at 8:26 pm

    So sorry for your loss Aunt Janet and family

  2. Anne T Gewant Sep 28, 2019 at 8:28 pm

    Gerry you were a great brother in law and a loving person to everyone you met and liked. You will be missed by many. I will pray that you meet my children and all the people you love in heaven. Your sister in law Anne Tustin Gewan

  3. Anne T Gewant Sep 28, 2019 at 8:28 pm

    Gerry you were a great brother in law and a loving person to everyone you met and liked. You will be missed by many. I will pray that you meet my children and all the people you love in heaven. Your sister in law Anne Tustin Gewan

  4. Sheri Scharf Sep 28, 2019 at 8:53 pm

    He will missed so deeply. I am so glad I had the chance to meet him and spend some time in Sea Isle and St James . I will never forget The Springsteen Shows. Thoughts and Prayers going to everyone💕💕💕💕💜💜💜🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

  5. Charles and Anne Ireland-Haig Sep 28, 2019 at 9:35 pm

    We are all very sad to hear of Jerry’s passing. Sympathy and prayers to you all. He was a remarkable, kind man. 😥🙏🏻

  6. Lynn Yates Hyman Sep 28, 2019 at 9:54 pm

    Janet & Family: I’m so sorry for your loss of a father, brother, husband & all around friend. May Jerry Rest In Peace until you all meet again.

  7. Karen Hartenstine Sep 28, 2019 at 10:30 pm

    Jerry had a heart of gold and will be surely be missed……

  8. Marie & Art Berrodin Sep 29, 2019 at 7:08 am

    Jerry was always so kind & giving. He will be missed by many. God bless him & his family.

  9. Ron DeLanzo Sep 29, 2019 at 8:45 am

    Very sad day, what a kind soul who made you feel so special. He will be missed. Just sorry I wasn’t able to be around him more.

  10. Angela Shrader Sep 29, 2019 at 9:23 am

    So sad. Sending prayers for him and his family.🙏

  11. Linda & Jerry Rutledge Sep 29, 2019 at 10:53 am

    Jerry and I send our love and prayers. Jerry was a man who always made everyone around him smile. He will be missed by the many people who knew him and loved him.

  12. Jim Gervasi Sep 29, 2019 at 1:49 pm

    Jerry was a great man and a great Step Dad to my 3 girls. We got along very well and there was never a harsh word between us. He was a prince of a guy and generous to everyone around him. My wife Cindy and I admired him and are deeply sorry to hear of his passing. I know he will be sorely missed by family and friends, of which he had many.

  13. Dolores Schroyer Sep 29, 2019 at 3:12 pm

    I will miss him terribly, best person I ever knew! The world lost a good one and was a better place because of his being in it. Xoxo to all of you, my heart is heavy for you all.

  14. Maria and Jerry Rutledge Sep 30, 2019 at 10:35 am

    Dear Aunt Janet and Family,
    We are so sorry to hear about Jerry’s passing. He was truly an awesome person and touched so many lives in such a positive way. Know you are in everyone’s thoughts and prayers..
    Love,
    Jerry, Maria and Family

  15. Christine Pacifico Sep 30, 2019 at 11:06 am

    Oh this breaks my heart. Jerry was so amazingly funny, loving, warm person, he so passionate about his cooking. I worked with him many summers at Sonny’s by the Acme. Prayers and condolences to the family.

  16. tonya calvetti Sep 30, 2019 at 3:22 pm

    I truly beautiful soul! I will be greatly missed.

  17. Debbie Shaw-Wright Sep 30, 2019 at 4:58 pm

    Janet and family I’m so sorry for your loss! You are all in my thoughts and prayers!

  18. Barbara Stauts 191 88th St. Sep 30, 2019 at 5:26 pm

    I was sorry to hear about Jerry’s passing. In Jerry’s younger days he was always good to My inlaws Les and Harriet Stauts. Always the trip the annual winter trips to Florida and then back to the shore. Hr was a great help.

    Two great guys Jerry and my husband Les have gone on the great relaxing world in the sky. Les passed awy July 2018.

  19. Janice Atadan Sep 30, 2019 at 7:12 pm

    Amazing man. Jerry was all of the good things a person could ever be. Deeply saddened by this loss and praying for God to give you the strength to find peace and calm.

  20. Kathleen Yellovich Sep 30, 2019 at 8:38 pm

    Annmarie and Peter I’m Sooo Sorry for the Loss Of Jerry Too Young!! I’ll Always Remember The Awesome CheeseSteak’s he Always made for us!! He was Such a Loving Person and The Best Brother To You And Peter!! My Love Thoughts And Prayers Are With You And All Your Loved Ones . Rest In Peace Jerry You Are Very Loved!! You Maybe Gone But You Surly Will Never Be Forgotten ❤️🙏😇💋 Kathleen Yellovich 😘

  21. albert Leckerman Oct 1, 2019 at 11:42 am

    My dear friend rest in peace, we never got to play our annual round of golf this year. Jerry I will always remember and miss you my friend , sincerely your friend Al Leck

  22. RAYMOND & GINNY BRISCUSO Oct 1, 2019 at 5:26 pm

    To all the Raffas’s, Jerry was a find young lad as a young
    boy and I enjoyed the time I spent with. Needless to say
    his Father was like a Father to my Kids and we came
    to Sea ]Isle only because of Paul. Our first stay was in his home on Central AVE.,
    Threre after we putchased Pats Elias home on 85th Street.
    God Bless Jerry and his Family
    Ray & Ginny Briscuso

  23. Rose Mary McAleer Oct 3, 2019 at 4:43 pm

    So sorry to read of Jerry’s passing, in the Washington, Post , yesterday. When I saw his picture , I saw Jerry’s father, Paul, in his face. My husband was Jack McAleer…we knew Paul and Clare thru the Ellis family.
    God bless the family.

  24. Curtis & Joyce Palmer Oct 4, 2019 at 9:27 am

    Ohhhh our sincere condolences to the family. So sorry to read this. Jerry helped our success with our Tomato Pie at Dough Boys by sharing his famous sauce with us. He was a real gentleman with a big heart. So sad. Rest In Peace Jerry. 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

  25. Cindy Walsh Oct 12, 2019 at 11:01 am

    I’m so sorry to hear about Jerry. My thoughts and prayers go out to you during this difficult time. If there is anything I can do as your neighbor and friend please let me know.

  26. Jc Apr 18, 2020 at 2:44 pm

    Watching Insane Pools…filmed in 2016, I am saddened to know Jerry passed away. RIP.

  27. D S. Jun 19, 2020 at 3:32 am

    I’m watching Insane Pools and decided to google Pine Island to see where it was on the map. I was devastated to hear Jerry had passed after having his dream pool put in. I hope his granddaughters enjoy the special island and that Jerry channels whoever stands in his outdoor kitchen.

  28. Pierre Berto Nov 15, 2020 at 7:33 pm

    Watching Insane Pools…filmed in 2016, . RIP JERRY

  29. Domenic Semeraro Dec 5, 2020 at 11:50 pm

    Watching Insane Pools and looked to see where on the Island this home is and was shocked and very much saddened to read of his passing.
    I was so happy for him and family for the dream come true.
    So sad.
    RIP

  30. Linda Kay Lilley Aug 19, 2023 at 12:11 am

    Here it is 2023 and while watching Insane Pools (filmed in 2016), I thought I would Google to see exactly where Pine Island is located. I was so saddened to see Mr. Raffa’s obituary come up.. My sincerest condolences to Mrs. Raffa and the family.

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