Gerald Joseph Lazzaro's Obituary
Gerald Joseph Lazzaro
19 January 1938 -14 April 2016
Colonel Gerald J. Lazzaro, US Army Retired, 78 years old, passed away on April 14, 2016.
Devoted husband, father, and great American patriot, he is survived by his wife of 39 years, Cecelia Myers Lazzaro, of Ashburn, VA, and two daughters, Michelle Christine (Michael) Jones of St. Louis, MO, and Nicole Elizabeth Lazzaro, of Oakland, CA. He is also survived by four brothers James, Daniel, Howard, and David, and one sister, Shirley, all of Michigan.
Jerry was beloved by his wife’s family: Marjorie Cowell of Fredericksburg, VA; Gary Myers of Springfield, VA; Linda Boleyn Myers of Clifton, VA; Amy Myers Harper and sons Cameron and Graham of Springfield, VA; and Matthew and Mileidis Myers of Woodbridge, VA.
Born January 19, 1938 in Saginaw, Michigan, the son of Nicholas Lazzaro and Augusta Stack. A Virginia resident for 32 years, Jerry grew up in Saginaw. He graduated from Central Michigan University (CMU) in 1960, and was commissioned an Army Second Lieutenant. In 2004, Colonel Lazzaro was inducted in the CMU military Hall of Fame “in recognition of his outstanding service to the United States of America and Central Michigan University”. He received his Master’s Degree from Georgia Southern University, and is a graduate of the Army War College.
Colonel Lazzaro’s 30-year military career included diplomatic, command, staff and advisory positions, taking him across the United States, and to Vietnam, Germany, Jordan, Iran, and Portugal. He was a Special Forces Officer, Ranger, and Senior Parachutist. After retiring from the military in 1990, he served as an international security consultant in both the U.S. Government and in the private sector.
A funeral service and interment with full military honors will be held at the Fort Myer Chapel and Arlington National Cemetery later in the year.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hopewell United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 87, Lignum, VA 22726.
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