Gerald C. Varalli

Gerald C. Varalli peacefully passed to eternal life March 20, 2010 at Geneva Lake Manor, Lake Geneva, WI at the age of 89 after suffering a stroke in December. Born in northern Italy, Dec 10, 1920 to Emilio and Maria Varalli, Gerald lived in Rockford from the age of 7 and graduated from the last class of Central High School in 1940. He retired from W. F. and John Barnes as a highly skilled hydraulic pipe fitter after 42 1/2 years. A widely read self-educated man, Jerry relished new experiences and loved to engage others in philosophical conversations. His family cherishes fond memories of the joy and laughter he brought to all with his wit and clever word play. Jerry’s legacy as an avid fisherman, master gardener and seed cultivator of a wide variety of both flowers and vegetables is lovingly remembered and continued by his descendents. It brought him joy to cook creatively and to generously share the bounty of his garden. His appreciation for nature was held in common with his surviving wife of 65 years, Josephine Turiciano Varalli, and continues to live in his 5 children: Celine Powers of Grand Saline, Texas; Alan Varalli of Sun Prairie, WI; Lea Borskie of Lake Geneva, WI; Mark Varalli of Rockford, and Maria Otfinoski of Chester, CT. Jerry will also be missed by his 11 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren. His surviving sister is Pauline Malani, Rockford, IL. A funeral Mass celebrating his birth to new life will be held at St. Bridget Catholic Church, 600 Clifford Ave., Loves Park, Il, Saturday April 10 at 10 am.