Jerry C. DeCristofaro, devoted husband, beloved father, grandfather, and great-grandfather passed away at the Winchester Hospital on Saturday, February 26th. He was 85.

Born in Boston, MA, Jerry was a life-long resident of Medford. Jerry was the son of the late Joseph and Lucille (Moncada) DeCristofaro and grandfather of the late Garrett Anthony Joseph Theisen.

He is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Anne J. (McDonagh) DeCristofaro and his brother, Christopher Clements of Florida.

Loving father to Joseph C. DeCristofaro of Medford, Lucille DeCristofaro of New York City, Anne Mary (DeCristofaro) Theisen and her husband David of Tewksbury, Barbara DeCristofaro of Medford, Maureen (DeCristofaro) Sawyer of Medford, Karen (DeCristofaro) DeChiara and her husband Michael of Chelmsford, Denise DeCristofaro of Medford, and Tara (DeCristofaro) Melo and her husband Eric of Medford.

His legacy lives on through his eight children, nineteen grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, grand-nieces, grand-nephews, and the many generations that will follow.

Jerry spent 45 years in public service for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts where he served as the Chief Investigator of the Licensing Board. During his time there, Jerry was responsible for establishing and enforcing the rules and regulations that ensured the safety of the citizens of Massachusetts. He was also a certified fraud examiner. Before working for the State, Jerry was a fifth generation stone mason at his family’s company, Medford Memorials, formerly located on Locust Street. Known for his resemblance to the late Luciano Pavarotti, Jerry was Pavarotti’s stand-in on the film Yes, Georgio!

In his youth he served in the Massachusetts National Guard.

Jerry was a graduate of Medford High School, Boston University, and the Barre Granite Design School in Vermont.

Jerry was a genuinely kind, generous man, full of patience and grace, who had a profound impact on the lives of so many. Jerry’s door was always open and he always had a smile for anyone who came to see him. He made everyone who met him feel like family, which was the most natural thing because Jerry was the quintessential family man, and the Patriarch of the DeCristofaro clan.

His greatest joy and most favorite thing to do was to spend time with his family, especially at the Holidays. A former high school and college offensive lineman, Jerry was an avid football fan who loved to “watch the game” with his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, friends, and neighbors.

Relatives and friends are warmly invited to visit with the family on Sunday, March 6th from 2:00 PM to 6:00PM at the Dello Russo Funeral Home, 306 Main Street, Medford.

The funeral procession will gather at the funeral home Monday morning, March 7th at 10:30 AM followed by a funeral mass celebrated in St. Joseph’s Church, 114 High Street, Medford at 11:30AM. services will conclude with burial at Oak Grove Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Joseph’s Church where Jerry, a man of great faith, was a lifelong parishioner.