A photo of Gerardo “Jerry” Antoniello sits by her desk, and Evita Sanabria, principal of P.S./I.S. 127, remembers “the most amazing young man I’ve come across in a very long time.”
Antoniello, who had just passed the test to become an engineer with the Department of Education (DOE), was building manager at the school in East Elmhurst only since February of this year, but Sanabria said, he left an indelible mark – not only on the building, the staff and the parents, but on the students as well.
“He was here for a very short time, but in that time he left a mark on everyone in the building,” she told The Courier in an exclusive interview. “He always had a smile on his face. I became, in that short period of time, very close to him.”
She painted a picture of a gentleman immensely devoted to his job – and his family.
“There was nothing Jerry wouldn’t do for anyone,” she said. “He felt the building was a reflection on him, and he was exceeding expectations.”
She continued, “I always told him, ‘Your mother must be very proud of you.’”
Ever conscientious, Sanabria said that Antoniello would update her on the progress of various projects and upgrades throughout the school, and, when there was work to be done, he would roll up his sleeves and get it done.
“He led by example,” she said. “For me it has been a complete loss. The kids loved him. They would say, ‘We know Jerry’s going to come tomorrow and fix that.’”
Sanabria said that she had the difficult task of explaining to the 1,300 students – grades K through 8 – as well as the parents, about the murder.
Bereavement counselors were also on hand to visit with the staff.
At the wake and the funeral, she said, “I cried as if it was a relative. He was taken away from us too soon. He made such an impact – it takes most people a lifetime.”
Sanabria said that in Jerry’s honor and memory a “Jerry tree” will be planted on the grounds. Additionally, the school’s winter concert will be dedicated to him.
And at P.S. 242, where Antoniello had previously worked, a garden will be devoted to his memory.
