Mr. Geraldo "Gerry" Retamar

October 3, 1953 - May 25, 2020

UTICA - Mr. Geraldo “Gery” Retamar, age 66, passed away unexpectedly on Monday, May 25, 2020 in the comfort and dignity of his home with those he loved most in his heart. Born in Ponce, Puerto Rico on October 3, 1953, Geraldo was the son of the late Jose Retamar and Maria Santos. He was raised and educated in Puerto Rico, and as a young man, he came to Utica. His first marriage was to Elida Rodriguez, a union blessed with two children. At one time, he was wed to the late Karen M. (Baye) Retamar and to that relationship came the blessing of two children. A certified auto mechanic, Gery worked for a number of repair shops, lastly at the West End Auto Company. He was an expert in vehicle diagnostics and was friendly and competent in providing service to patrons. Geraldo’s heart and his life knew the kindness of Adele Cortes. They respected and honored each other for the last 14 years of his life. He was truly a family man. He was supportive and always there, and was intuitive to his children’s needs. As one of 12 children, Gery learned to share and love unconditionally from an early age. He captured the attention of family and friends, and showed a great interest in their wellbeing. He often traveled to Massachusetts to visit his siblings and their families. Gery was light-hearted and humorous, with a witty comment for everyone, and if he couldn’t remember your name, he made one up! He absolutely loved music and was enthralled by the sounds of the original Spanish artists, but yet he also knew the more contemporary performers. Salsa music added sauce to the spice of his life, and he became mentally and physically alive. A skilled cook, his specialty was Spanish cuisine, and when he shared his dishes with his kids with pride, he would tell them “make sure you give me the pot back”. He also loved food, feasted on pineapple upside down cake, any kind of soup, and of course rice & beans. Gery found pleasure in taking a long ride, seeing the sites, stopping for ice cream, and unwinding by having his music on in the car and honking his horn when he came to your house unannounced. Two of his favorite hobbies were attending car shows, and the recreational sport of practicing his aim at the firing range. He celebrated his Catholic faith at Historic Old St. John’s Church where he drove the summer bus for the parish, and was active at the annual bazaars. He will be remembered as a humble man, grateful for the blessings of each day and the people who loved him as much as he loved them. Gery is survived by his children and their loves, Geraldo Retamar Jr. and Angel Cavanaugh, Jose and Janelle Retamar, Andrea E. and Christina Colon, and Ian Retamar; grandchildren, Alexia, and Cosimina; Jacia, Eneliza, Jose Jr., Jalaina, Eliana, Marcella, and Makaiyah; Jaden, Airin, and Jeremiah. He will be remembered by his siblings and their loves, Ana and Louie, Tony and Georgette, Alma (the late Mariano), Fidel, Aida and Abraham, Naomi and Stanley, Marilyn and Abdul, Juanita and Francis, Jesus and Jennifer, Miguel, and Jose and Libby. He also leaves his aunts, Racquel, and Martha; many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins, longtime good friend Adele Cortes, and the best friend he found in his brother, Tony. Due to current health concerns and in keeping with federal and state regulations, the immediate family will honor Geraldo’s life privately. Please take a moment to connect with Gery’s family through the “Memories” section of his obituary on our website. Our prayers continue to go out to all as a sign of our community support.