My Friend Jerry Can you truly express what is in the Human heart? There are no words can truly express how a person feels at any given moment. Countless artists, musicians, and alike have been trying to for centuries. About ten years ago I was getting ready to take up my 40 size dynaflight P-40. As I was making sure my plane was ready for flight I found myself answering questions about my plane and the hobby to a man I never met before. He seemed very interested in the RC hobby and stated he would like to learn how to fly. He took note of my airplane and told me that the P-40 was his favorite plane because his father was a photographer for the AVG. I thought that to be significant and told him this was my favorite plane too, and because of my father, he had given me a Cox control line P-40 when I was a kid. That was the beginning, the beginning of two guys, two radios, two matching tee-shirts, two corny jokes, two six packs, two bragging fathers, two houses to help renovate, two wives waiting at home on Sunday with supper on the table, two workshops, two paint jobs, and two Top Flight 60 size P-40E’s flying in formation for our fathers. Those of us who had the pleasure of knowing Jerry feel a great loss. When I was down he lifted me up. I used to call him “My Rock”. That’s what true friendship is all about. He was a person who would give you the shirt off his back if you liked it, let alone needed it. Always extended a helping hand to all. He would laugh, and what a laugh he had, it was infectious. Even now while I’m writing this I feel I’m a better person inside because of him. He loved to build and fly. Years back when I was president of the club it gave me great pleasure to announce the winner of the “Best of Show” trophy of that year. Jerry had scratch built a beautiful Gee Bee model Y. He did an outstanding job. Whether it was countless work parties at the field, or helping to make the annual holiday party a success, he was always there. If a new member needed someone to take him up or check out his plane, he was there. I had great times with our friend Jerry. Sometimes we would finish each others sentences. Without planning ahead we would end up wearing the same shirt at the field. He would then point to it and say “Yo Moe, this is too weird!” He was planning on getting back into flying a lot more this upcoming summer. He felt the “itch” to build. Jerry loved his family very much. He was the official pizza maker of the Pizzarello house. He was a proud Papa when it came to his kids. Almost every time he came to my house he brought along his daughter Alexa. She was like his “Little buddy”. He even gave her, her own drawer in his workbench so she could build with him. He was happy that his daughter Jillian and son James had both found themselves wonderful people to marry. His wife Donna, a very patient woman. She knew that the year only had 6 months to it and would have to wait another 6 flying months before Jerry would work on their house again. She didn’t mind as long as Jerry was happy. My friend Jerry was real, a real person. There were no fancy clothes or jewelry or cars, just an ear to listen and a heart to give. When you go to the field, speak of him, I guarantee it will put a smile on your face. I know he will be with us in spirit at our field, because he was loved by so many of us. Blue skies, 5mph wind right down the runway, his channel will always be open. May his spirit be in our hearts forever. Bring it in Jerry the runway is all yours. With love, your wingman, Tony