James Cerza Obituary James F. Cerza, Sr. Portsmouth - James Francis "Jake" Cerza, Sr., 94, went to be with the Lord on November 30, 2014. He was born on April 15, 1920 to Vincenzo and Carmela Cerza in West Pittston, PA. He is survived by his wife of 72 years, Iona Gay Cerza; his children, Carmen A. (Charlene) Cerza, Brenda A. (Peter) Duda, James F. (Ann) Cerza, Jr. and Richard L. (Alesia) Cerza; his sister Angelina Balzano; and his brother-in-law Patrick DeGugliemo; his 12 grandchildren Eric (Rebecca) Cerza, Channa (Eric) Bonney, Randolph (Janet) Cerza, Kelly Adams, Michelle Duda, Christopher (Cherie) Duda, Jamie (George) Wigginton, Brian (Charlene) Cerza, James F. (Janet) Cerza III, Richard L. Cerza, Jr., Christina Cerza, Chely Cerza; and 14 great-grandchildren. He is predeceased by his parents; his son John David Cerza; his sisters Josephine Pierontoni, Marion Fazio, Freda DeGugliemo, Anna Gadello, Betty Mozal; and brothers Carmen Cerza, and Anthony Cerza. James was a World War II veteran who served as a sergeant in the U. S. Army from 1941-1945. He retired as manager of Hofheimer's shoe stores after 36 years of service. He was a past president of the Mid-City Merchants Association, a past vice-president of the Lion's Club, past Exalted Ruler of the Elks Lodge 82 and past Commander of Chapter 22 of the Disabled American Veterans. He was an avid golfer and enjoyed traveling. James leaves a legacy of love and caring that will be forever cherished by his family and all who knew him. The family will welcome friends at Baker-Foster Funeral Home, 5685 Lee Farm Lane, Suffolk, VA 23435 from 4-6:30pm on Tuesday, December 2. A funeral mass will be celebrated at 11am on Wednesday, December 3 at the Church of the Resurrection, 3501 Cedar Lane, Portsmouth, VA 23703. Burial, with military honors, will follow in Olive Branch Cemetery, Portsmouth City Park. Condolences may be registered at bakerfoster.com. James Cerza Obituary (1920 - 2014) - Suffolk, VA - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- See also: 1) https://www.rwbakerfh.com/obituaries/obituary-listings?searchNameJamesCerza&page1 2) https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/pilotonline/name/james-cerza-obituary?id11131306 3) https://www.pilotonline.com/obituaries/James-F-Cerza/ ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ## Narrative Summary of the Obituary James Francis "Jake" Cerza, Sr. passed away on 30 November 2014 at the age of 94. Born on 15 April 1920, he was a World War II veteran and a devoted family man, survived by his wife, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, leaving behind a legacy of love. ## Narrative Summary of Funeral Services The family welcomed friends at Baker-Foster Funeral Home on 2 December 2014. A funeral mass was celebrated on 3 December at the Church of the Resurrection, followed by burial with military honors in Olive Branch Cemetery, Portsmouth City Park. ## The Edited Obituary James Francis "Jake" Cerza, Sr., 94, went to be with the Lord on 30 November 2014. He was born on 15 April 1920 to Vincenzo and Carmela Cerza in West Pittston, PA. He is survived by his wife of 72 years, Iona Gay Cerza; his children, Carmen A. (Charlene) Cerza, Brenda A. (Peter) Duda, James F. (Ann) Cerza, Jr., and Richard L. (Alesia) Cerza; his sister Angelina Balzano; and his brother-in-law Patrick DeGugliemo; his 12 grandchildren Eric (Rebecca) Cerza, Channa (Eric) Bonney, Randolph (Janet) Cerza, Kelly Adams, Michelle Duda, Christopher (Cherie) Duda, Jamie (George) Wigginton, Brian (Charlene) Cerza, James F. (Janet) Cerza III, Richard L. Cerza, Jr., Christina Cerza, and Chely Cerza; and 14 great-grandchildren. He is predeceased by his parents; his son John David Cerza; his sisters Josephine Pierontoni, Marion Fazio, Freda DeGugliemo, Anna Gadello, and Betty Mozal; and brothers Carmen Cerza and Anthony Cerza. James was a World War II veteran who served as a sergeant in the U.S. Army from 1941 to 1945. He retired as manager of Hofheimer's shoe stores after 36 years of service. He was a past president of the Mid-City Merchants Association, a past vice-president of the Lion's Club, past Exalted Ruler of the Elks Lodge 82, and past Commander of Chapter 22 of the Disabled American Veterans. He was an avid golfer and enjoyed traveling. James leaves a legacy of love and caring that will be forever cherished by his family and all who knew him. The family will welcome friends at Baker-Foster Funeral Home, 5685 Lee Farm Lane, Suffolk, VA 23435, from 4:00 PM to 6:30 PM on 2 December. A funeral mass will be celebrated at 11:00 AM on 3 December at the Church of the Resurrection, 3501 Cedar Lane, Portsmouth, VA 23703. Burial, with military honors, will follow in Olive Branch Cemetery, Portsmouth City Park. Condolences may be registered at bakerfoster.com. ### Vital Statistics Summary | Name | James Francis Jake Cerza, Sr. | |---------|----------------------------------| | Age | 94 years | | Birth | 15 April 1920; West Pittston, PA | | Death | 30 November 2014; Portsmouth, VA | ### Table of Relationships | Name | Relationship | Residence | |-------------------------------|----------------------|----------------| | James Francis Jake Cerza, Sr. | Decedent | Portsmouth, VA | | Iona Gay Cerza | Spouse | Unknown | | Carmen A. Cerza | Child | Unknown | | Brenda A. Duda | Child | Unknown | | James F. Cerza, Jr. | Child | Unknown | | Richard L. Cerza | Child | Unknown | | Eric Cerza | Grandchild | Unknown | | Channa Bonney | Grandchild | Unknown | | Randolph Cerza | Grandchild | Unknown | | Kelly Adams | Grandchild | Unknown | | Michelle Duda | Grandchild | Unknown | | Christopher Duda | Grandchild | Unknown | | Jamie Wigginton | Grandchild | Unknown | | Brian Cerza | Grandchild | Unknown | | James F. Cerza III | Grandchild | Unknown | | Richard L. Cerza, Jr. | Grandchild | Unknown | | Christina Cerza | Grandchild | Unknown | | Chely Cerza | Grandchild | Unknown | | Angelina Balzano | Sister | Unknown | | Patrick DeGugliemo | Brother-in-law | Unknown | | John David Cerza | Predeceased Child | -- | | Josephine Pierontoni | Predeceased Sibling | -- | | Marion Fazio | Predeceased Sibling | -- | | Freda DeGugliemo | Predeceased Sibling | -- | | Anna Gadello | Predeceased Sibling | -- | | Betty Mozal | Predeceased Sibling | -- | | Carmen Cerza | Predeceased Brother | -- | | Anthony Cerza | Predeceased Brother | -- | ### Other Relevant Information 1. James Cerza was a World War II veteran who served as a sergeant in the U.S. Army from 1941 to 1945. 2. He retired after 36 years as manager of Hofheimer's shoe stores. 3. James held various leadership roles, including past president of the Mid-City Merchants Association, past vice-president of the Lion's Club, past Exalted Ruler of the Elks Lodge 82, and past Commander of Chapter 22 of the Disabled American Veterans. 4. He was an avid golfer and enjoyed traveling. 5. James left a legacy of love and caring that will be forever cherished by his family and all who knew him.