Geraldine Gilbertie Obituary
Geraldine Barbara Gilbertie, formerly of Wilton, Connecticut, died peacefully in Holmdel, New Jersey on October 21, 2025 at the age of 85.
Geri was born in Norwalk, Connecticut to Jerry Apuzzo and Pearl (Timko) Apuzzo. Geri learned to speak Hungarian as a child and how to prepare many Hungarian dishes from her grandmother who lived with Geri and her parents. She graduated from Sacred Heart Academy in Stamford, Connecticut in 1958, and went on to attend Ohio State University where she excelled at chemistry. She met the love of her life, Patrick ("Pat") Gilbertie while in high school and enjoyed going to the stock car races in Danbury with Pat. They were married at St. Joseph's Church in Norwalk Connecticut on November 18, 1961. Geri and Pat began their lives together in Norwalk and then moved to Wilton in 1968. Geri embraced her role of young mother, while also becoming an active member of her community. When her husband assumed ownership of Pat Gilbertie Plumbing and Heating, their home became their office and Geri joined the business as operations manager handling the incoming calls, scheduling jobs, ordering parts and supplies and managing the staff and payroll. She was also an active member of the National Auxiliary of Plumbing, Heating, and Cooling Contractors (PHCC) of Connecticut. During the 36 years she spent in Wilton, she was a faithful parishioner of Our Lady of Fatima Church. On weekends, she enjoyed camping trips with her young family. Geri fell in love with St. Thomas USVI after vacationing there, and she and Pat returned annually where they passed many enjoyable winters. Upon retirement, the couple left Connecticut and divided their time between the home Pat built on Cape Cod and their winter residence in Florida. Geri spent many memorable vacations cruising the world with her husband and her daughter Christine, the pinnacle of which was connecting with her long lost relatives in Hungary.
Geraldine is predeceased by her husband of 61 years, Patrick. She is survived by her four daughters, Christine Gilbertie, Laura Geil (Eric), Gail St. Peter (Donald) and Mary Maas (Bernard) and was blessed with eight grandchildren; Robert and Elizabeth Geil, Emily, Jamie and Abigail St. Peter, Henry, Warren and Bruna Maas. She is survived by her sister Penny (Frank) Wolferseder of Weston, Connecticut and her brother Peter (Joann) Apuzzo of Maine.
Calling hours are on Monday, November 17, from 3:30-5:30 pm at Magner Funeral Home, 12 Mott Ave, Norwalk Connecticut. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held for both Patrick and Geraldine Gilbertie at Our Lady of Fatima Church, 229 Danbury Road, Wilton, Connecticut on Tuesday, November 18 at 9:30 am. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (Dana-farber.org).
