Obituary of Jerry Lareau

Gerard "Jerry" Stratford Lareau, 75, of Brick, NJ, passed away peacefully on July 31, 2024. Born on July 2, 1949, Jerry lived a life filled with love, laughter, and dedication to his family and work.   Jerry was the beloved husband of Sherri for 38 wonderful years. He was a devoted father to Marybeth (Robert) Olah, Jennifer (Kevin) Coleman, Stephanie (Rayfel) Kroeger, Bethany (Ramon) Landero, Melanie (Jason McCann), and step-son Gregory Lopez (Justyna Gnatek). Jerry was also a cherished grandfather to Samantha, Patrick, Riley, Timothy, Remy Gerard, Jazmin Lareau, Tiana Lareau, Sebastian, Rafael, and Julian. He is survived by his sisters Cathy (John) Crawford and Debbie (Bill) Oliver, and Aaron Sacks, who shared a bond as close as brothers.   As the owner of his own insulation and wallpaper business, Jerry was known for his strong work ethic and commitment to quality. Outside of work, he found joy in life's simple pleasures. An avid fisherman, Jerry loved spending time by the water and enjoying seafood. He was a passionate New England Patriots fan and enjoyed nothing more than cheering on his team with family and friends. Though, nothing is compared to the joy he found in spending time with his grandchildren.   Jerry will be remembered as a selfless individual who always put others first. His kindness, generosity, and willingness to help those around him left an indelible mark on all who knew him. He was not just a wonderful husband, father, and grandfather, but also a loyal friend to many.   Jerry's love extended beyond his human family to include his beloved granddogs, Scruffy Landero and Zoey Lareau, who will miss their special "grandpaw"   A Celebration of Life service will be held at Ocean County Cremation Service, 1252 Rt 37 W., Toms River, NJ 08755, on August 18, 2024, from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM. Family, friends, and all whose lives were touched by Jerry are invited to attend and share their memories of this remarkable man.   Jerry will be deeply missed and forever remembered by his family and all who had the privilege of knowing him. His legacy of love, selflessness, and devotion will continue to inspire those he leaves behind.