Gerald F. Ursitti - Obituary

erald Francis Ursitti of Annapolis, MD passed away peacefully on January 28, 2019 at the age of 82. Born October 12, 1936 to Harry and Angeline Ursitti, he was the second of three sons born and raised in Washington, D.C. Gerald was a member of the first graduating class of John Carroll High School in 1955. He went on to graduate from the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, NY in 1959, where he was commissioned as an Ensign in the United States Navy. Upon completion of aviation training at the Naval Air Station Pensacola, he flew patrol aircraft out of Argentia, Newfoundland and Keflavik, Iceland. He was attached to the VW-11 squadron. He later flew transport aircraft out of Naval Air Station Patuxent River and Naval Station Norfolk. After receiving a degree in Operations Research from the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, CA, Gerald was assigned to the Pentagon as an operations analyst. He served in Vietnam in 1969 and 1970. He instructed mathematics at the U.S. Naval Academy from 1972 to 1975, lead the Pilot Proficiency Program at Andrews Air Force Base, piloted senior naval officers around the world and finally flew P-3 Orion aircraft for the U.S. Naval Research Lab based in Washington, D.C. He retired with honor from the Navy as Lieutenant Commander in 1980. Following his Naval retirement, he pursued his passion for flying as a pilot for the private charter company, Shillelagh Air Travel Club. He further shared his knowledge as an instructor of mathematics at the Key School and Saint Mary’s High School in Annapolis, where he was affectionately referred to as the “Great Urs.” He married his beloved high school sweetheart, Anita, in 1960 at Saint Dominic Catholic Church in Washington, D.C. Together they raised 3 adoring children; Christopher, Jeanine and Dominic. He was the proud grandfather of Vincent, Brianna, Emily and Harry, who loved their ‘Doe’ to the moon and back. Gerald was a member of Saint Mary’s Catholic Parish in Annapolis for over 46 years. He was an active member of the Annapolis Civitan Club, serving as president for many years. He was an avid sailor and enjoyed playing golf, traveling with his family, cheering on the Ravens with his grandson and son-in-law and doing anything that involved his dear grandchildren. Gerald was preceded in death by his parents and younger brother, Harold. He is survived by his loving wife of 58 years; his three children and four grandchildren; devoted brother, Donald; loving family members, John, Samantha, Thomas, Ermalinda, Joseph, Paul; many nieces and nephews and other close family members and friends. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Lung Cancer Foundation of America. Friends and family are invited to celebrate Gerald's life on Saturday, February 2, 2019 from 1 pm to 4 pm at the Kalas Funeral Home and Crematory, 2973 Solomons Island Road, Edgewater, MD 21037. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at a later date to coincide with his interment at Arlington National Cemetery. Please take a moment and leave a condolence by using the link on this page.