Jerry L. Mennitto, a retired Deputy Sheriff for Middlesex County, died Saturday at the Lahey Clinic, Burlington. He was 80.
Mr. Mennitto was born in Harrisburg, PA, the son of the late John and the late Anita (Preciosi) Mennitto. He was raised in the Bronx, NY where he developed a love for the New York Yankees. After his service in the Navy during World War II, Jerry eventually settled in Somerville and married his wife of 60 years, Evelyn McCoy. A natural leader, he was an active member in the American Legion, Post 19 and served as Commander. A talented speaker, Jerry was active in local political campaigns and always could be counted on to warm-up a crowd for the candidates and to help win a precinct or two. Jerry worked as a sheriff’s deputy in Middlesex County and was a founding member of their union. He was also a member of the Mason Lodge of Somerville and the Dante Club.
He was the beloved husband of Evelyn (McCoy) Mennitto. He was a devoted father to John Mennitto and his wife Mary of the Squantum neighborhood of Quincy, Anita DeFrancesco and her husband Anthony of Woburn, James M. Mennitto and his wife Diane of Burlington. He was a loving grandfather to 11 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.
His funeral will be from the Dello Russo Funeral Home, 306 Main St., Medford, Thursday at 9 AM, followed by a funeral mass celebrated in St. Anthony Church, 12 Properzi Way, Somerville, at 10 AM. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend and may visit with the family, Wednesday 4 - 8. Services will conclude with burial at Oak Grove Cemetery.