Longtime Tallahassee Democrat outdoors writer Jerry Gerardi passes away

Jerry Gerardi’s love for fishing started when he was a child, casting a rod alongside his father off a beach pier. 

As that affection continued throughout his life, Gerardi reached a point where he enjoyed fishing as much as he enjoyed writing about it.

“That was his life, how he kept in touch with everyone, and he loved it so much,” wife Mary Gerardi said. “He has left a trail of old fisherman.”

Jerry Gerardi, whose weekly fishing/outdoors column appeared in the Tallahassee Democrat for more than a decade, died Thursday night from heart issues. He was 73.

Gerardi, who suffered a major heart attack last April, covered just about every facet of fishing in the Panhandle.

The former IBM tech writer authored more than 500-plus columns for the Democrat. He entertained readers with his easy, informative writing style and kept anglers updated with timely, detailed fishing reports. Gerardi was also known for a friendly smile and calm demeanor. 

“Just a super nice guy who reached so many people, it was incredible,” said Capt. Cliff Mundinger of Lake Talquin Trophy Guide Service. “He was superstar. It is a very sad day for this fishing community.”

Gerardi's recent columns

• Outdoors: Red snapper bonus days
• Outdoors: Dove will drive you nuts
• Outdoors: Hooks, sinkers and floats are new and improved

Gerardi had been hospitalized for the past few weeks following additional heart surgery, according to Mary, and dealt with heart issues in the past. 

Mary said Jerry authored his last two columns for the Democrat – including Friday’s feature on how Florida’s red snapper season has been extended through parts of October – from his hospital bed.

“He just loved what he was doing,” said Mary, who added with a laugh that she wasn’t a fisherwoman. “I tried it when we first were married, but I couldn’t handle it.”

Jerry and Mary were married for nearly 50 years and have two adult children, Josh and Joe.  Joe, who owns a local yard service, often accompanied his father on fishing trips.

Not to fish, but to surf.

“Some of my fondest memories are me looking up at him (on fishing pier) and watching him wave to me,” Joe said.

Funeral services are pending, according to the family.

“Jerry was so relaxed, so laid back,” Mary said. “He was doing what he loved. He touched so many people.”

Reach Jim Henry at jjhenry@tallahassee.com.