Gerald Mazzarella, 77, passed away January 1, 2022, after a long illness. A lifelong resident of East Boston, Gerald was born May 29, 1944. He was an educator both in his personal and professional life. During his 41-year career as a high school teacher, he impacted the lives of thousands of young people in the Boston Public Schools.

While he was often working two or more jobs and organizing a band, his true life’s work was inspiring family and friends, instilling in them a love for wisdom and the Catholic Faith. He acted in union with his membership in the Knights of Columbus and the Third Order of the Slaves of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. He was a diligent student until the end and a passionate defender of the eternal truths. When he was homebound, he treated his home as a monastery and designed a website to share Catholicism with others. His wish was that many people would visit homemonastery.org

He was predeceased by his parents, Rafael (Ralph) and Maria Rosa Caristo Mazzarella, his brother Vincent (Sonny), and his son-in-law Steven Frye. He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Colbe Corcoran Mazzarella, and his eight children and their spouses: David and April Anselmo Mazzarella, Lisa Frye, John and Maggie Mathews Mazzarella, Joseph and Kelly Dwyer Mazzarella, Mary Rose, Catherine and Oliver Domina, Theresa and Peter Lajoie, and Elizabeth, as well as 17 grandchildren: Rachel, Seth, Sarah, James, Maria, Thomas, Grace, Josephine, Nicholas, Zyah, Lily, Daniel, Eloise, Lucia, Anna, Phoebe and Regina.

Family and friends are invited to pay their respects from 5-8 PM on Wednesday, January 5, at Ruggiero Family Memorial Home, 971 Saratoga St., East Boston and again at 8:30 AM on Thursday. Funeral services will be held at 10 AM on Thursday, January 6, at St. Joseph-St. Lazarus Church, 59 Ashley St., East Boston. Gerald will be laid to rest at Holy Cross Cemetery, Malden.

The family requests prayers for the repose of his soul.