Stephen Gerenser, Jr.

Stephen J. Gerenser, Jr.
Stephen J. Gerenser, Jr. passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, September 8, 2013. He was born in Manhattan in New York City on October 29, 1947, the son of the late Julia (Pelikan) and Stephen Gerenser, Sr.
Steve retired from the Pennsylvania Soldiers and Sailors Home in 2003.
Steve was a graduate of Penn State University and after graduation had served in the Pennsylvania National Guard. He was a life-long fan of Penn State football. Since Steve was an outstanding pitcher in his younger days, he had a particular fondness for baseball, loyally following the ups and downs of the Pittsburgh Pirates. Steve enjoyed traveling with his wife, and especially cherished the annual family trips to the Outer Banks in North Carolina.
He worked several summers at a camp for special needs adults and did other volunteer work for the Barber Center. He also delivered Meals on Wheels when he retired.
Steve spent his time learning all  that he could about natural science, history, geography, archeology, astronomy, and geology. His interests led him to many museums and many hours taking video courses in these subjects.
When Steve moved to Erie in 1971, he developed a great appreciation for Presque Isle State Park. Since his retirement, it gave him much joy to spend every morning on the peninsula reading, walking, saying the rosary ,and taking in God’s beautiful scenery there.
Steve was a gentle, generous and extremely kind man who will be missed by his entire family.
Besides his parents, Steve was preceded in death by his father-in-law, John A. Smerick and his special ‘angel” and sister-in-law, Rosemarie Smerick. He had a strong bond with both John and Rosie.
Steve is survived by his wife of 42 years, Barbara Smerick Gerenser; a sister, Judy Williamson and a brother, Bob Gerenser, both of New Hope, PA. Also left to hold onto his memory   are his mother-in-law, Irene Smerick and his brothers-in-law, Walter (Rick) Smerick and his wife Louise; John Smerick and his wife Stacie, and Robert Smerick and his wife Ruth, all of Erie. He is the uncle of Amy Smerick, Katie Smerick-Hammer, Laura Smerick and Rachel Smerick, all of Erie along with several other nieces and nephews in eastern Pennsylvania.
Friends are invited to call at the John J. Quinn Funeral Home, West 9th & Liberty St. Thursday from 4:00 PM until 7:00 PM at which time Funeral Services will be held. Burial will be private and a memorial mass will be announced at a later date and time.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Child Fund International, PO Box 26507, Richmond, VA 23261 or to the Barber National Institute, 100 Barber Pl., Erie, AP 16507, or to a charity of one’s choice.