On September 23, 2026, William J. Gerardi Jr., Ed.D., beloved husband of Ruth B. Gerardi (nee Bingman) for 47 years, died at the age of 71 after eight years of actively fighting Parkinsonian MSA. He was the loving older brother of Roy Gerardi (wife Sandy) and devoted father of Julie Nardi (husband Matt), Joanna Peterson (husband Tony), Joshua Gerardi, and Joy Oleson (husband Gardner). He was the cherished grandfather of Lillian, Holly, Violet, and Nathan; Rylee and Asher; and Gloria and Aemilia. He was preceded in death by his parents, William J. Gerardi Sr. and Gloria F. Gerardi (nee Hunter).

Bill was a Marylander through and through, born in Baltimore City and a fan of the Orioles, Colts, Ravens, and the Maryland Terps Basketball. His favorite family vacations were always to the ocean, and he loved crabs and seafood! He moved to Catonsville at a young age, attended Johnny Cake Elementary and Johnny Cake Junior High. He earned Eagle Scout while attending Woodlawn High School (Class of 1973). He graduated from the University of Maryland in 1977 with a degree in Secondary Education and Earth and Space Science. He continued his education, earning a Master of Education (School Counseling) in 1982 from Loyola University Maryland and a Doctor of Education (Curriculum and Instruction) from his alma mater, the University of Maryland, in 1993.

Dr. G spent his entire 40+ year career with the Anne Arundel County Public School System. Starting as a Science Teacher at Marley Junior High, he went on to Brooklyn Park Jr./Sr. High, Severn River Junior High, Arundel Middle School, Severna Park Middle School, Anne Arundel County Public School Board of Education, and retired as a school counselor at Broadneck High School in 2019.

He was an example of service and leadership, which was modeled by his father, and he served for several terms as Chairman of the Christian Service Brigade (CSB) at Severna Park Evangelical Presbyterian Church, President of the Capital Region CSB Ministries, Inc., Board Member for Camp Hemlock Wilderness Brigade Camp, and President of Cornerstone Tutorial, Inc. Bill was involved in every church he belonged to, teaching Sunday School, leading Bible studies, and serving as an elder on the session. With his faith in Christ as the true North of all his pursuits, he strove to reflect his Savior, Jesus Christ, in every walk of life.

He loved sports, fitness, and the great outdoors, taking every opportunity to hike, camp, rock climb, rappel, spelunk, do a ropes course, canoe on a river, or swim in the ocean. He was also known as a coach for his students and four kids in everything from wrestling to lacrosse, basketball, and soccer. He enjoyed the discipline of exercise, with a consistent routine of running, weightlifting, biking, and swimming. After his Parkinson’s diagnosis, Bill took up the call to “take the ‘park’ out of Parkinson’s” by joining a pedaling for Parkinson’s class and Rock Steady Boxing programs in Annapolis and later at the downtown Frederick YMCA. Prior to this, he completed the Baltimore Marathon and several 10-mile, 10k, and 5k races.

His friends describe him as having a great sense of humor and a laugh you had to join in with; always welcoming everyone; a trusted, honest mentor; a faithful, loyal leader and friend; and a godly man of prayer. Fellowship remained important even following his diagnosis of Parkinson’s, which gave him the opportunity to walk the journey with others who are fighting the disease; develop new friendships; and give and receive encouragement at church, with neighbors, and at the Empower Motivation Fitness Rock Steady Boxing Group, Frederick YMCA Rock Steady Boxing, and the Friends in Frederick Parkinson’s Disease Support Group.

His kids knew he loved his wife and family with sincere devotion. He had a term of endearment for each one, and could always be counted on to help, pray, or answer any car questions. In addition to his wife, brother, children, and grandchildren, Bill is survived by his in-laws: Bob and Georgene Bingman and Jane Guerin. His nephews and nieces, who recall him as an intentional and “fun uncle”, Jonathan Sanbuichi (wife Tracey), Zachary Bingman (fiancé Toniel), Hannah Mudrick (husband Mike), Andrayea Contract (husband Dan), Lauren Gerardi (fiancé Ryan), Brooke Gerardi, Olivia Gerardi and David Gerardi (wife Jayna), and great-uncle to Baylee, Sylvie, Charli Mae; Brendan and Collin; Logan and Anna.

Family will receive friends on Thursday, October 8, from 2-4 pm and 6-8 pm at Barranco Severna Park Funeral Home and Cremation Care, P.A., 495 Ritchie Highway, Severna Park, Maryland 21146. In honor of Bill’s love of running, on Friday, October 9, at 9:30 am (meeting at 9 am) to 10 am there will be a 1-mile memorial run/walk starting at the B&A Ranger Station, 51 West Earleigh Heights Road, Severna Park, Maryland 21146. The private interment will be at Glen Haven Memorial Park. The Celebration of Life will be on Friday, October 9, from 2-3 p.m. at Severna Park Evangelical Presbyterian Church, 110 Ritchie Hwy, Pasadena, MD 21122.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to the Christian Service Brigade (CSB-7117) group at Severna Park Evangelical Presbyterian Church https://spepchurch.org --> “Give” and under “Fund” select “I/O CSB Battalion”, Camp Hemlock https://www.camphemlock.org/support-camp-hemlock or  Rock Steady Boxing https://rocksteadyboxing.org/support-us