Girolamo "Jerry" Renda

Girolamo “Jerry” Renda passed away peacefully on June 3, 2023. He was born in Alcamo, Italy to Vincenzo and Francesca (Calandra) Renda on June 12, 1932.

As a young man, Jerry worked in the vineyard of the family farm with his father. He also served in the Italian armed forces.

On July 29, 1961, Jerry married his true love Pasqua “Lena” Renda. In 1965, they immigrated to America with their young children Francesca and Vincenzo, and his brother Giuseppe “Joe” and his family. They sailed for 13 days on a ship and landed on Ellis Island in New York. Eventually, they settled in Kalamazoo where they completed their family with the birth of Leonardo.

Jerry moved to America with little money, no job and unable to speak English. Through hard work and perseverance, he built a life for him and his family and worked in the construction trade doing flooring. He retired comfortably in 1995 and spent his retirement years enjoying his family.

Above all Jerry was a family man. He took pride in his children and grandchildren. He loved animals and had many beloved dogs over the years. He loved his wife’s cooking and sitting in the sunshine. He stayed active going to the fitness center for many years and working in the yard and garden. He made many trips to Italy over the years and loved the country he was born in.

Jerry is survived by his children Fran (Patrick) Ellis, Vince (Tara) Renda, and Leo (Teela) Renda; grandchildren Susan (Matt) Kemp, Brian Ellis, Kevin Ellis, Kristen (Caleb) Kaylor-Knopf, David (Noha) Vanluke; William Tifft, Jeremy (Carlee) Renda, Justin Renda, and Davin Renda; great-grandchildren Abigail, Peter, Idris, and Ryder; brother Joe and his wife Carmela; several nieces and nephews in America and Italy; many friends;  and his beloved pet, Bella. Waiting for him in heaven are his wife Lena and his parents.

The family invites friends to visit on Thursday June 8, 2023, at Langeland Family Funeral Home 411 East Centre Ave. Portage, MI 49002 from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM, and then again on Friday June 9, 2023, from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM. A funeral mass will begin at 1:00 PM at the funeral home the same day, followed by a committal service at Portage South Cemetery at 2:30 PM. Memorial donations may be made in honor of Jerry to the Kalamazoo Animal Rescue Project. To visit Jerry’s personalized webpage please visit https://www.langelands.com