In Memory of Jerry Spatola Newark New Jersey St Gerard Badge Vintage

Approx. 2" badge Vintage, could be mid to late 1970s, from the time of the funeral. Jerry Spatola was active in politics through running the Gerardo J. Spatola Civic Association. He also chaired the Newark Planning Board in the 1940s and additionally served as a commissioner for the Newark Housing Authority. The Spatolas were also known for supporting and celebrating Italian heritage and culture in Newark. They were heavily involved in the community’s celebration of the Feast of St. Gerard at St. Lucy’s Church. The festival as a whole began in 1899, between the time that St. Gerard Majella was beatified (1893) and canonized (1904). The feast day, which falls on October 16th, celebrations were headed by Gerardo Spatola Sr, and the annual celebrations have been coordinated by the Spatola family since. https://archivesspace-library.shu.edu/repositories/2/resources/472