Gerald Louis “Jerry" Passadori ’52 passed away December 10, 2010, after a long and courageous battle with cancer. Jerry, the only child of Louis and Rose Passadori, was born on February 8, 1931 in Merced, Calif. Jerry, a longtime local businessman, grew up in Atwater and attended local schools. He graduated from Merced High School, where he played baseball. As the team’s catcher he excelled in defense as well as being one of the teams leading hitters on the offense. He also played for the Atwater Packers Team. After graduating from high school, Jerry attended Santa Clara University and graduated with a business degree. Immediately after college graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and attended Officer Cadet School where he trained as a tactical officer. He graduated OCS as a second Lieutenant stationed at Fort Sill, Okla. Jerry left the Army and returned home to work alongside his parents, Louis and Rose, in the family business, Passadori’s in downtown Atwater. Jerry Married Camilla Key in 1953. They had three sons: Jim, Steve, and Richard. Jerry was active in the Atwater/Merced community for many years. He was a member of the Atwater Rotary Club, Atwater Chamber of Commerce serving as president for one term, and the Merced Golf & Country Club also serving as president for one term. He served on the Castle Air Force Base Community Council and was instrumental in bringing the Castle Air Museum to the area. Jerry also served on the Board of Regents for his alma mater, Santa Clara University. He was a director for the Bay Cities Wholesale Hardware Company in Burlingame, Calif. making many early morning trips to attend board meetings. When Jerry wasn’t working at the store, his favorite pastimes were spending time with his family, golfing, and gardening. He cherished the good times with his many dear friends playing bridge, golfing, and vacationing in Hawaii, Europe, and the Santa Cruz area. Jerry will be fondly remembered for his dedication to the family business, his undying loyalty and love for his parents Louie and Rose, his generosity and love for his wife, sons, daughters-in-law, grandchildren, his desire to help others especially his customers at the store, and his enthusiasm to share what he grew in his garden. Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, Louis and Rose Passadori, and many aunts and uncles. He is survived by his wife of 57 years Camilla Passadori, sons Jim (Debi) Passadoris ’77, Steve (Lilly), Richard, and grandchildren Ryan and Diana Passadori ’03, J.D. ’06. He is also survived by numerous cousins.