Gerald A. "Jerry" Donnaruma, a longtime resident of Charlestown and formerly of East Boston, entered into eternal life on Thursday, October 1, 2026 at the Kaplan Family Hospice House in Danvers. He was 89 years old.

Jerry was born in Boston on February 12, 1937, a son of the late Sabatino Donnaruma and Anna (Rumma) Donnaruma. He grew up in East Boston where he was educated in the Boston public School system and graduated from Boston English High School in 1955. Jerry enlisted in the United States Navy on August 30, 1955 and proudly and honorably served on the U.S.S. Grand Canyon. He was honorably discharged on August 28, 1959 with the rank of Torpedoman's Mate Seaman. Jerry worked in the shipping and receiving department for Joseph Meirs Shoe Company in Hyde Park, and previously at Mac Shoe Company in Downtown Boston. He enjoyed watching old movies, traveling, and singing. Jerry was a staple at the Bunker Hill Mall and at Dunks, where he could be found hanging out with his friends. He loved spending time with his family, especially his sweetheart granddaughter, Aliya.

Jerry is the beloved husband of the late Helen A. (Lynch) Donnaruma. He is the devoted father of Carmen Donnaruma and his wife Karen, Alicia Alibhai and her husband Dr. Karim Alibhai, and the late Gerald Donnaruma. He is the loving Papa of Aliya Alibhai. He is the dear brother of Roseanna Shea, and the late Frances Donnaruma, Eva Donnaruma, Cono Donnaruma, and Carmen Donnaruma. He is also survived by other family member and his Dunks friends.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend Jerry's visiting hours on Saturday, October 3, 2026 from 10 A.M. to 1 P.M., concluding with a Prayer Service at 1 P.M. His burial at the Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne will take place on another day.

In lieu of flowers, kindly make a memorial donation in Jerry's name to :

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital: 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105

https://www.stjude.org/donate/donate-to-st-jude.html?sc_icid=header-btn-donate-now