Jack Gentilli

Madison

Jack V. Gentilli, 90, of Madison, WI passed away peacefully at home on October 26, 2016, surrounded by his loving family. He was born on June 21, 1926 much to the surprise of his mother, who was in Omaha, Nebraska visiting family at the time.

Jack was a graduate of Edgewood High School and member of the football team. He enlisted in the US Navy at age 17, and went to gunnery school in Newport, Rhode Island. He was assigned to the third fleet under the command of William “Bull” Halsey on the Light Cruiser USS Atlanta (CL104). He was a gunner’s mate aboard ship and was awarded two gold battle stars for major engagements against the Japanese in the South Pacific. During that time a typhoon of epic proportions with 150 mph winds and waves over 75 feet threatened to roll the ship over. Shipmates on the Atlanta that took part in the invasion of Okinawa and experienced the typhoon felt that the typhoon was equally as frightening as the invasion, and it stood out vividly in their memories. He was present on the USS Atlanta and witnessed the signing of the Instrument of Surrender of the Japanese aboard the USS Missouri on September 2, 1945 in Tokyo Bay.

Upon return to Madison Jack completed two years of college. It was then that he met the love of his life, Helen Jean Kroncke from Sun Prairie, and was married one year later. A friend of the family and President of Badger Coaches, Herman Meier, offered him a position with his new company. Jack worked with Badger for 37 years, driving over two million miles. Upon his retirement Jack was a dealer trade driver at Smart Motors, and worked there for 19 years. He often shared how he loved working for Smart and how it was that job, and keeping busy everyday, that kept him going for 90 years.

Jack is survived by his wife Helen, his three children, Tom, Chris and Barbara (Bill Kokott); granddaughters Kara, Lindsay and Jaimie, and his sister, Mary Ann Schuman. He was preceded in death by his daughter-in-law Beth; his parents, Joseph and Lena Gentilli; sisters Madeline and Katherine (Charles Clementi), and his brother Michael.

Dad was an honest man with a fun loving personality and a smile that attracted others to him. He enjoyed golf, boxing, football, and winters in Florida. He loved his family and gave without hesitation to those less fortunate. His strong faith and love of God was evident in all of his actions and taught those of us around him to love others and not be quick to judge, as we have not walked in their shoes. He shared memories of his days in the Navy with much pride and was honored to serve the country he loved. Above all, he loved our mother with all his heart and soul. The memory of seeing our parents, even after 68 years of marriage, walking hand in hand will always comfort us and hold us until we see our father again.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to Dr. Michael Huie at UW Health. His care and treatment decisions extended Jack’s life 10 years after the lymphoma diagnosis, and for that we are eternally grateful.

A Memorial service will be held at 11am on Saturday, November 5, 2016, at MIDVALE COMMUNITY LUTHERAN CHURCH, 4329 Tokay Blvd., Madison, with Pastor Blake Rohrer presiding. A visitation will be held from 4-6pm on Friday, November 4, 2016 at JOYCE-RYAN FUNERAL HOME, 5701 Odana Rd, and again on Saturday at the church from 10am until the time of the service. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Badger Honor Flight; by mail at Badger Honor Flight, Inc., P.O. Box 258066, Madison, WI 53725, or online at badgerhonorflight.org.

May the road rise up to meet you,

May the wind be always at your back,

May the sun shine warm upon your face,

The rain fall soft upon your fields,

and until we meet again,

may God hold you in the palm of His hand.

Old Irish Blessing

To view and sign the guestbook, please visit www.ryanfuneralservice.com

Joyce-Ryan Funeral Home

& Cremation Services

5701 Odana Road

608-274-1000