Gerald Stanley Kendorski

Gerald Stanley Kendorski, 80

“There, but for the grace of God, go I,” said Gerald Kendorski, each time he stretched out a helping hand to someone in need. And if one thing is true, it’s that Gerry’s life was blessed in countless ways that sprang from his gentle kindness, his appreciation for the small wonders of everyday life, and his love of family togetherness. These qualities permeated so much of what he became passionate about in life.

Born on April 22, 1941 in Philadelphia to the late Francis and Joan Kendorski, Gerry had an insatiable curiosity that led him towards many life-long passions, including photography. Always with camera in hand, he photographed everything from family gatherings to cars to businesses all over Philadelphia, including Rohm and Haas, where he worked for 42 years. He collected old glass negatives and became proficient at restoring old photos, jokingly remarking that he was “simply taking photos for posterity.”

Perhaps it was this same quality of patient observation combined with his gentle nature that led him to have such a green thumb and passion for gardening. He grew everything from trees to cacti from simple cuttings—some of which he tended for over 50 years. And no doubt his love of family fed his passion for cooking, always taking pride in preparing “special” meals—from prime rib dinners every Christmas to smoking his favourites on the grill for family and friends. When it came to sharing a meal with Gerry, you could always count on three things: good food, good drink, and good stories.

Of course those who knew Gerry could not forget his sometimes heated passion for politics or his keen interest in technology. And in fact, without the latter, he would never have met Roberta during a mid-life, online romance that blossomed into a 25 year marriage. Considering his love for sci-fi, it was a match made in cyberspace. She was the firecracker to his calm. Roberta, whom he affectionately referred to as “she who must be obeyed”—a phrase to which she affectionately rolled her eyes—passed away in late 2019.

Gerry was also preceded in death by his stepson, Matthew Hitchner, in 2014, as well as his brother, Francis Kendorski, III in 2012. He is survived by his daughter, Joan Nicoletti, her husband, Larry, as well as by his brother, Stephen and his wife, Jean, of American Fork, Utah.

There is no doubt Gerry made an impression on those who loved him, as well as the less fortunate who only knew him during a moment of generosity. One thing is for sure: if he could attend the final family gathering in his name, he would exclaim what he always said in life: “The more, the merrier!”

Gerry will be interred in Resurrection Cemetery in Bensalem, PA with his wife, Roberta. At this time, no local services are scheduled.