Gerald John McNerney 

BALLSTON SPA — Gerald John McNerney (Jerry), 84, died peacefully on February 17, 2025, at his home in Ballston Spa, NY after a brief illness.  Jerry was born on June 24, 1940, in Brooklyn, NY to Frank and Nora (Kelly) McNerney, both immigrants from Ireland.  He had fond memories of his boyhood in Brooklyn and summers in Breezy Point, NY. 

Jerry’s proudest achievement was his family; his innate optimism, faith, and work ethic were a model for his children and grandchildren.  He loved a vigorous debate, a good game of spades, and a round of mini golf throughout his life, and generally won at all of them even into his 80s.  He and his wife Kathleen (Sutton) McNerney celebrated 60 years of marriage in September. 

After graduating from Midwood High School in Brooklyn, Jerry apprenticed at Swift & Co. becoming a skilled butcher. He was drafted into the U.S. Army and served for two years at Ft. Belvoir in Alexandria, VA.  After leaving Brooklyn in 1967, Jerry and his wife first settled in Manchester Center, Vermont where they opened and operated Sutton’s Guest House while he also worked two jobs to support his growing family.  In 1970, he found his true home in Ballston Spa, NY and built an enviable life.

He was a member of the Meat Cutters Union and spent 30 years managing meat departments in A&P, Grand Union, and Shop Rite grocery stores.  He then opened a one-man contracting business putting his handyman skills to work for many years in Saratoga County.  Jerry was a longtime parishioner of St. Mary’s parish, and active in the community throughout his life, volunteering with a community food bank, St. Mary’s School and Saratoga Catholic High School, as a Boy Scout leader, a youth baseball coach, and member of the Knights of Columbus.  

Jerry is survived by his wife Kathleen; his children Gerald (Maureen) McNerney of Rockville Centre, NY, Patricia McNerney of Washington, DC, Christopher (Erin) McNerney of Matthews, NC, Andrea (Jeff) Wilk of Hopkinton, MA, Dennis (Michelle) McNerney of Orangeburg, NY, and James McNerney of Albany, NY; his grandchildren Ryan, Grace, Mae, Annie, Bridget, Maura, Sebastian, and Scarlett; his siblings Marion Murray, Andrew McNerney, and Kathleen Coady; and many nieces and nephews.  He is predeceased by his parents Frank and Nora McNerney; his siblings Nora Keenan, Anna Windels, Frank McNerney, and Gloria McNerney. 

Calling hours will be from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, February 25 at Armer Funeral Home, Inc., 39 East High St., Ballston Spa. A mass of Christian burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, February 26 at St. Mary’s Church, Milton Ave., Ballston Spa. 

Valuing the importance of education to the end and inspired by his granddaughter’s medical studies, Jerry donated his body to the anatomical donation program at Albany Medical College.  His family is grateful for the kind and skilled caregivers from Community Hospice who helped realize his wish to be at home. 

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Mary’s School (https://smsbsn.betterworld.org/campaigns/st-marys-school-online-giving-pl). 

Online remembrances may be made at www.armerfuneralhome.com