On Thursday, April 1, 2021, Gerard “Jerry” Goyette, loving husband, father, and grandfather, passed away peacefully at the age of 84.
Jerry was born on March 5, 1937 in Elizabeth, NJ to Lillian (nee Oehme) and Gerard Goyette. He grew up in Linden, NJ and graduated from Linden High School. After high school, he attended Valley Forge Military Academy and was drafted into the United States Army. He proudly served his country in Hanau, Germany and White Sands, New Mexico.
After returning to New Jersey, Jerry married his devoted wife of 57 years, Marilyn. Together, they moved to Roselle Park, NJ and raised three children. He went on to graduate from Rutgers University and was employed by American Cyanamid and PSE&G. Jerry and Marilyn happily retired to Toms River, NJ in 2004.
Jerry was a devoted family man. He adored his children, and even if he was working two jobs at a time, he never missed a sports game or school play. He was an involved member of the Roselle Park community, where he shared his love of coaching youth baseball and softball with countless children over the years. Jerry was also a faithful NY sports fan, never missing a Giants or Yankees game on TV, and enjoyed reading and watching the History Channel and Military Channel. He loved sports and fishing – especially golf; although he never quite mastered his swing, he always enjoyed making memories on the green with his children and son in-law. During his retirement, Jerry liked to spend mornings down at the docks watching the charter boats sail by as he sipped his morning coffee, and – if he could get the bartender to make one – loved a Stinger cocktail at Happy Hour. Family and friends will remember Jerry as the “dog whisperer,” as he enjoyed spending time with his faithful canine companions until the very end. Most of all, Jerry adored his two granddaughters, whom he spent countless hours with at Jenkinson’s Boardwalk during the summertime, and who never ceased to make him proud.
Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, Lillian Goyette (nee Oehme) and Gerard Goyette, and his brother, Russell Goyette. He is survived by his wife, Marilyn (nee Stupinski); his sister, Sr. Jeanne Goyette, OP; his three children, Jeffrey Goyette, Danielle Moriello (nee Goyette) and her husband Nick Moriello, and Michelle Goyette; and his two granddaughters, Tara and Jenna Moriello.
Cremation will be private. A memorial Mass and celebration of life to follow at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Jerry’s name to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or VALOR Clinic Foundation, P.O. Box 315, Brodheadsville, PA 18322.