Even the Heavens cried.
The “Justice for Jerry” vigil, on Saturday night, October 24, drew hundreds, despite the heavy downpour, who gathered to remember a hero – and to plead for the capture of his cold-blooded killers.
“It’s only a matter of time before these guys are caught,” said Paul “PJ” Marcel, speaking on behalf of the family, who expressed sincere gratitude to all who have shown their love and support during this most trying time in their lives.
More than a month after Gerardo “Jerry” Antoniello, 29, was killed trying to protect his parents during a push-in robbery in their Ozone Park home on Wednesday, September 9, his family is still reeling.
“The family has come to the conclusion that Jerry is not coming home,” said Marcel. “Their quality of life has been affected, even the simplest things. There will be no holidays for them.”
“How can you feel safe in your home,” he questioned, after explaining that that fateful night, a woman rang the Antoniello doorbell many times, asking for an address. After Jerry gave her the information, they saw her leave, but never really got a good look at her.
Gaetana, now a grieving mother, returned downstairs, as they were awaiting Romeo’s return from work from the pizzeria he owns on Cross Bay Boulevard in Ozone Park.
Suddenly, Gaetana told The Courier in an earlier interview, “I hear a noise and I see my husband with the phone and my son on the floor, full of blood. It wasn’t even two minutes.”
Antoniello’s father, Romeo, who said he had parked his car in the driveway, said that when he turned around, suddenly the two masked suspects were on top of him.
“One minute I parked the car, and then [Jerry] said, ‘Daddy, daddy.’ It was the last time he called me daddy.”
One round was fired, hitting Jerry in the head. He was taken to Jamaica Hospital in critical condition, where he died early Thursday morning, September 10.
“I was getting ready to go to work [at 6 a.m.] when I heard,” said Keith Camacho, who has known the family for 25 years, as he is brother Angelo’s best friend. “I don’t think there are any words to describe my reaction . . . it was just a state of shock.”
Noting that he himself has lost loved ones previously, Camacho said, “I can’t [fathom] the pain they’re going through.”
“[This vigil],” he continued, “is to show [the suspects] that they took somebody’s life – somebody people loved. If they have a heart, or if people know them, turn them in.”
The perps are described by police as two black males; the first is described as tall with a thin build; the second is described as short with a stocky build.
Carmine, the oldest of the Antoniello brothers, and a member of the NYPD, then read a moving tribute to his baby brother, evoking an emotional response from all in attendance.
“My brother was a hero,” said Carmine. “The day of September 9, our lives ended.”
“These cowards,” he continued, “ruthlessly took Jerry’s life.”
Then, for those who didn’t know him personally, Carmine took time to reflect on Jerry.
“Sports always came naturally to him,” he said,
He lovingly remembered how, having never played golf before, Jerry helped him beat an experienced player.
He also chuckled at how Jerry “schooled” him on the basketball court.
“I never touched a basketball again,” he said.
Calling on the suspects to step forward and turn themselves in, Carmine told The Courier that his partner has spearheaded fundraising efforts in Jerry’s memory in order to up the reward money offered.
“I want to get them off the streets before they do it to someone else,” said Carmine, who told The Courier that he hopes to have a $20,000 reward.
At the vigil, donations were taken, and mourners, who came from as far away as Staten Island, were able to purchase bracelets and other items. All the monies will go toward the reward.
Marcel then recalled Jerry as a good dresser, a good worker, and a good son.
“He would go into work in Prada, with a Rolex watch and mop the floors,” said Marcel of the die-hard Mets fan. “There was no reason for his death. He died a hero.”
If you have any information about the case, or on the identity or whereabouts of the suspects, call the 106th Precinct Detective Squad at 718-845-2260.
If you would like to contribute to the reward money offered, send checks to The Queens Courier, 38-15 Bell Boulevard, Bayside, NY 11361.
Read related story with an exclusive interview here
