Geraldine Sgarlato

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Geraldine “Geri” Sgarlato, a woman of warmth, kindness, and deep devotion to her family and friends. Geri made an immediate impression on everyone she met; her generosity and compassion were legendary. Raising her children was her greatest joy, and she always welcomed their friends into her home as if they were her own.

Geraldine was born in Procido, a province of Naples, Italy. She was brought to the United States as a young child and raised in the Carroll Gardens section of Brooklyn. As a young woman she worked as a bank teller, a profession she proudly returned to after raising her children. She dedicated over 40 years of service to the former Chase Bank, now J.P. Morgan Chase, retiring in her mid-seventies. Geri was frequently recognized in corporate letters, not only for her kindness, but also for her exceptional skill and efficiency in identifying fraud and counterfeit bills.

A devout Catholic, Geraldine regularly visited St. Patrick’s Cathedral, often stopping in on days she worked. She had deep empathy for the unhoused, frequently bringing Warm clothing and at times, sharing her own lunch.

Geri cherished trips to Atlantic City with her close friends, fondly known as “The Church Ladies.” Together, they also enjoyed Saturday evenings out for dinner following vigil Mass. With boundless energy, she traveled by bus and subway between Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Staten Island. She attended senior aerobics classes several times a week until the pandemic and continued walking daily to stay active well into her nineties.

Family was the center of Geraldine’s life. She was predeceased by her beloved brother, Frank Scotto, and her younger sister, Anna Scotto. She leaves behind her devoted children, Robert (Holly) and Rosemarie Sgarlato; her cherished grandchildren, Lauren McAvoy, Michelle Daley (Jack), and Robert Sgarlato, Jr.; her loving nieces and nephews, Steven Scotto, Mary Ellen Scotto, Dana Frangelo (Anthony), Christopher Scotto (Leandra), Timothy Scotto, Kevin Scotto, Judith Scotto, and Justin Escalante. She was dearly loved by all and will be fondly remembered for her fun-loving spirit and her sometimes surprisingly “racy” sense of humor.

Geraldine spent the last two and a half years of her life at Seaview Nursing Home in Staten Island, where she was cared for with kindness and dignity by the wonderful staff of both 5 East and 5 West. They, too, grew fond of her warm smile and her occasionally spicy responses.

Geraldine will remain in our hearts for all she shared and for the lessons she taught her family by the beautiful and exemplary life she lived.