Obituary of Gerald Menz

Gerald Charles Menz

6/17/1940 to 4/25/ 2026

Gerald was born on June 17, 1940, in Rochester, NY where he resided until he returned to the lord, April 25, 2026. He attended St. Ambrose elementary School and continued his education at Edison Technical High School, which prepared him for a career at Eastman Kodak, where he worked from 1958 until retirement in 1991. He started out in film processing and then moved into the motor shop. He met his wife, Elsie Stolberg, through the St Thomas More Club, where they were both members. They got married in 1967 and enjoyed nearly 59 years together.

Gerald (Jerry as we all knew him) enjoyed traveling with his wife, Elsie, and their children in years past. He worked hard all year, banking his vacation days to load up the family and hit the road. They drove, camped, and shared with their kids many treasured places across the United States. Jerry and Elsie continued to make several cross-country road trips visiting family and friends along the way and exploring 35 of our beautiful country’s National Parks, a multitude of National Monuments and historical sites, and many other points of interest over the years. He always preferred driving rather than flying and loved to collect rocks from the locations they visited. It became a long-running joke with his niece & Goddaughter, Ann Marie and her husband, Jim. “Stop the car! I see a rock!”

Gerald enjoyed trying new recipes and created quite a fat binder of recipes. Some never got tried, but we enjoyed many of the treats he made. He had his signature salted pretzel peanut butter chocolate chip recipe that he made to add to any cookie assortment that came from the Menz household.

He was proud of his children and grandchildren and took an interest in all their accomplishments, performances, and enjoyed special tours, such as Disney Animation Studios and backstage at the Gershwin Theatre to see the inner workings of the musical “Wicked”. He helped Valerie with her horses at the Heartland Fall Classic Horse show in Danville, Indiana, where she competed with her pride and joy, Gypsy Vanner Horse, Romeo. During the holidays, he directed the parking of cars at (Cynthia & Alan’s) Clara Belle Christmas Tree Farm where he was often mistaken for Santa Claus as he was adorned with the perfect Santa beard. Whether in the stands at a sporting event, in the audience at a play or awards ceremony, or encouraging a new endeavor, he was beaming with pride and the loudest cheerleader. His children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and friends could count on his support.

The St. Thomas More Club introduced him, not only to the love of his life, but to lifelong friendships. He cherished and enjoyed their monthly More Club breakfasts with these friends of sixty years. In the early days, he held various offices in the club, most notably, the year he served as president.

Jerry had many trade skills and always did his own car and home repairs including a multi-year project replacing the roof on the house, section by section. He was not only a licensed electrician, but also a plumber, carpenter, and car mechanic taking care of the family’s many needs and demands. He spent a few weeks helping Cynthia and Alan put some finishing touches on their newly built home to prepare them for move-in day. He helped Valerie dig holes and set posts to prepare a pasture for her horses. He served as a consultant on house issues when Brian called from California with questions. The call would start with, “I need to talk to Dad.” Nancy had a personal car mechanic and house maintenance man with so many repairs to thank him for. When Eric was roofing the garage, he was right there working beside him. While Carl was the Building Superintendent of his apartment, Jerry helped him to replace and rewire light switches as well as repair a hot water heater. He was a willing co-caregiver helping Elsie with her mother enabling Mom to be at home during the last two years of her life. These are only glimpses into what he did for his family. His helping nature did not end there. He also helped extended family, neighbors, and friends with various projects. He would often stop and help a motorist who was having car trouble saying, “I know that car.”

As a lifetime parishioner of St. Ambrose Church, he was incredibly involved with its community. Some years he was on the Festival Committee, and when he wasn’t, he was still always there to assemble games, string lights, and run a booth. He was actively a part of the after-mass Coffee Hour Team, and in the past had sorted food for the parish prepared Christmas Baskets. When his boys were in scouts, he was involved in St. Ambrose Troop 231 and spent a couple of years as a Webelos leader.

Jerry’s sense of humor, bright smile, supportive nature, and huge heart will be missed by so many.

Gerald was predeceased by his parents, Frank and Mae Menz; his infant son, Mark; brother and sister-in-law, Robert and Patricia Menz; sister and brother-in-law, Mary and Frank Simmons; sister and brother-in-law, Betty and Gerald Kruppenbacher; Godchildren, Richard Kruppenbacher and Jack Menz; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Carl and Edna Stolberg; and sister-in-law, Joyce Stolberg.

He is survived by his Wife, Elsie Menz; Children: Nancy Menz, Cynthia (Alan) Bushey, Valerie Menz, Brian (Kate) Menz, Carl (Katherine) Menz, and Eric Menz; Grand Children: Zachary, Olivia, and Jasper Bushey, Julia and CarlyAnne Menz, Noah, Jack, Avery, Sawyer Menz, Ethan and Evee Kourdou, Oliver, Hazel and Ivy Menz; Brother and sister-in-law Frank and Georgianne Menz; Honorary Menz, Jason Dusett; and Godchildren: Ann Johnston, Frank Menz, and Michael Menz. He is also survived by many more nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

The family welcomes you to Calling Hours at Dierna Funeral Home, 2309 Culver Rd, Rochester, NY 14609, from 3:00 to 7:00 pm, Friday, May 15. A funeral mass will be held, Saturday, May 16 at 12:00 pm at Peace of Christ Parish at St. Ambrose, 25 Empire Blvd, Rochester, NY 14609. Interment to follow funeral at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, 2461 Lake Ave, Rochester, NY 14612

In lieu of flowers, contributions to the National Park Foundation will honor his interest in the National Parks. Online: give.nationalparks.org or By Mail: National Park Foundation, Attn: Gift Processing, P.O. Box 17394, Baltimore, MD 21298-9450