It is with profound grief that we announce the death of Gerald "Jerry" Costanzo, on June 10, 2024. Jerry, as he was fondly known, was born on September 25, 1945. He lived a full, extraordinary life and left an indelible mark on all he encountered.

Jerry was born and raised in Niagara Falls, NY, with his brother David. He attended Bishop Duffy High School and became an Eagle Scout. Scouting helped Jerry develop confidence, self-reliance and civic pride. After graduating from Bishop Duffy High School, he moved to Dayton, Ohio to attend the University of Dayton, graduating  in 1967 with a BA in Education. During his senior year he worked in a children's psychiatric hospital where he met Rebekah Eyler; they were married in July. Shortly thereafter Jerry was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps and was quickly deployed to Vietnam where he served honorably for three years. While serving in Vietnam, he met Dennis Reynolds who became a lifelong friend. After his stint in the Marine Corps, Jerry returned to just after the birth of his son, Nicolas. Jerry took his discharge from the military as an opportunity to grow a beard which he kept for the remainder of his life. 

Jerry returned to school at Wright State University and graduated in 1972 with a master's degree in Psychology. This is the same year that his daughter, Krista, was born. 

In 1973, Jerry and Rebekah divorced. When they went their separate ways they each had dreams of leaving Ohio. 

In 1974 he was instrumental in opening a program for runaway adolescents in Dayton, OH called Daybreak House. This led him to leave Ohio for Colorado in 1976 with the offer of a position at Pikes Peak Mental Health Center. His early ventures in Colorado were in the areas of social services consulting, grant-writing and becoming an early-adopter of personal computing. After acquiring an MBA from the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs, CO in 1982 he applied his new skills to the home-building industry as a sales and market research expert working for several local developers and having a major influence on the development of Nor'wood and Stetson Hills in northeastern Colorado Springs.

An avid outdoorsman with a love of camping, fly fishing, boating and hiking, he shared his passion with friends and family through numerous adventures which will forever remain in the hearts and minds of his loved ones. In 1985 he met and married Robin Muckey. Together they moved to New Jersey where Jerry was employed by a large homebuilder, K Hovnanian from 1989 to 2000, in both New Jersey and California. During this time, twin boys, Ryan and Sean were born (1994).

In September, 2000, the family returned to Colorado where Jerry continued his marketing career through positions with local home builders and ultimately as an independent consultant to the industry.  As an active participant in the Housing and Building Association of Colorado Springs, he achieved numerous recognitions, among them the award as Master Certified New Home Sales Professional of the Year. G.L. Costanzo & Associates, Inc. became a nationally-recognized marketing and sales training firm specializing in real estate development.

Following his divorce from Robin in 2005 and the great recession of 2008, Jerry turned his focus to teaching becoming an adjunct professor in community colleges along the front range of Colorado. During this time, Jerry was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease related to his service in Vietnam.  Although symptoms were manageable during the early years, ultimately Jerry was unable to continue teaching and was forced to retire earlier than anticipated.

Jerry's struggle with Parkinson's required great stamina and adaptation during the last ten years  of his life. Despite the challenges, Jerry was a man of wisdom, humor, and resilience. His quick wit and jovial spirit were infectious to those around him, making him an incredibly beloved friend, mentor, and family member. His legacy of hard work, a love for life, and an unyielding desire to help others will forever remain in the hearts and minds of his loved ones.

As we mourn the loss of a great man, please join us in remembering and celebrating Jerry's life. A Military Ceremony to include full honors will take place on July 1, 2024 starting a 1:00 pm at Pikes Peak National Cemetery followed by a Celebration of Life at the Lazy Land Pavilion at Palmer Park from 2:00-6:00 pm. This will be a time to come together to honor and mourn the loss and to celebrate the legacy that will live on in each one of us who had the privilege of knowing him.

Jerry said that a former professor came up with a description for him that he embraced. He called Jerry "a Sherman tank with a marshmallow heart." We will all miss that marshmallow heart. Rest in peace, Gerald "Jerry" Costanzo. Your journey on earth may have come to an end, but your spirit lives on in our hearts. We will forever cherish the joy and laughter you brought into our lives.

Jerry is survived by his four children Nicolas, Krista, Ryan, and Sean, his three grandchildren Alex, Leila, and Cora, and his great-granddaughter Zoe. He is also survived by his brother David and numerous friends that became family. 

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