Gerald Bevilacqua “Jerry” Ansuini, a 45-year resident of Oak Harbor, died Oct. 25, 2005 at Virginia Mason Hospital in Seattle following a lengthy illness. Jerry was born Jan. 4, 1922 in Philadelphia, Penn. to Camillo and Maria (Bevilacqua) Ansuini.

Jerry was raised in Germantown, Penn. where he graduated from Germantown High School with the Class of 1939. Following graduation, Jerry worked for WIRT Electrical Company as a shipping clerk. He then moved to AAA working in the addressograph department. Finally, Jerry worked for the North American Smelting, working with brass, bronze and aluminum scrap. He spent one year with the smelter as a Physical Testing Lab Director.

As a dare with his friends, Jerry enlisted in the U. S. Navy on Oct. 7, 1942. The Navy sent him to Pensacola and Jacksonville, Fla., to Lakehurst, N.J., San Francisco, Moffett Field, San Diego, NAS Whidbey Island and Hawaii.

Jerry was a veteran of the Pacific Theater during World War II. He was stationed aboard the USS Albemarle, Hornet, Philippine Sea and the USS Ranger, as well as aboard the U.S. Navy blimps. His final tour with the Navy, was aboard NAS Whidbey with VAH-6. He retired on Sept. 4, 1962 as an AEC.

Jerry was married to the former Constance Iona Humphrey in Coupeville, on Sept. 2, 1963. Connie preceded him in death in 1997.

Following his retirement from the Navy, Jerry began work as an outside salesman for the Oak Harbor Sears Store and also for Westgate Mobile Home Sales. He then worked for a time for Harrington, Fick and Chapman as a real estate salesperson. In 1966, Jerry began a nearly 30 year career as an insurance agent. He began with the Prudential Insurance Company in 1966 and in 1984, became an Independent Insurance Agent, working out of the Whidbey Federal Credit Union building (now Alaska USA). He also worked for the Richardson Agency, Doug Wright, as well as a solo practice. He officially retired for the second time in 1995.

Jerry loved living in Oak Harbor. He enjoyed his poker group in Oak Harbor, visiting the Indian casinos, traveling to Reno twice a year for many years, Longacres and the Harness races in Vancouver, B.C. He enjoyed riding the train to Pennsylvania to visit family. For many years, he volunteered at the Kiwanis Crippled Kids Camp at Fort Casey and was instrumental in building the wheelchair sidewalks from the barracks to the beach for the kids. He had a very tender spot in his heart for the Children’s Hospital Foundation. Jerry was instrumental in organizing the Oak Harbor Kiwanis Club, the Key Club at the high school and for many years the SPADE Club, providing student mentors to special needs children. Jerry was always a very dedicated member of the Democratic Party.

Jerry Ansuini was a member of St. Augustine’s Catholic Church of Oak Harbor; the Fleet Reserve Association Branch 97; The Retired Enlisted Association, a charter member and Board of Trustees of the Oak Harbor Elks Lodge 2362; and a Charter Member, Life Member, and Past President of the Oak Harbor Kiwanis Club.

Jerry is survived by one sister Margaret Benvignati of Exton, Penn.; by one niece, Elsie Trotter of Chalfont, Penn.; two nephews, Albert Ansuini, Jr. of Warrington, Penn., and Anthony Trotter of Hatboro, Penn.; and his mother-in-law, Ruth Jones of Pensacola, Fla. He is also survived by the love of his life, Jan Kammenga and her family, and Gary and Martha Wallin, all of Oak Harbor. He was also preceded in death by his brother Albert Ansuini.

Funeral service will be held at Burley Funeral Chapel, Oak Harbor at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Tuesday, Nov. 1, with CDR. Fred Renfroe, CHC, USN (Ret) and the Oak Harbor Elks Lodge 2362 officiating. Graveside services will follow at Maple Leaf Cemetery with full military honors under the auspices of the NAS Whidbey Island Honor Guard. Visitation for family and friends will be held at Burley Funeral Chapel on Monday from noon to 8 p.m. and Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. A reception for family and friends will follow the services at the Elks Lodge. Memorials may be made to Children’s Hospital Foundation or the Tall Elks.