Fundraising Walk Honors Sea Isle City Icon Gerard A. Desiderio

By Donald Wittkowski Gregarious, full of life, the guy who would light up the room. People who knew Gerard Desiderio said he was all that – and much, much more. “He was a good friend. He was the most fun person,” recalled Cape May County Clerk Rita Marie Fulginiti. “He would greet me by saying, ‘How ’ya doing, Rita baby?’’’ Fulginiti, who laughed while remembering Desiderio’s larger-than-life personality, joined with about 150 other people Saturday in Sea Isle City to honor their late friend by participating in an annual fundraising walk. Now in its seventh year, the Gerard A. Desiderio Heart Walk and Dog Walk raised more than $68,000 for the Deborah Heart and Lung Center in its first six years, organizers said. Deborah will benefit again from this year’s walk. Gerard Desiderio was only 43 when he died in 2003 of heart failure. Sea Isle Mayor Leonard C. Desiderio said not a day goes by when he doesn’t miss his younger brother. “He really lit up a room when he walked in. Everybody got a hug,” the mayor. From left, Mayor Leonard C. Desiderio's mother-in-law, Ida Vitillo, and his parents, Carmel and Leonard J. Desiderio, lend their support to the heart walk. The Desiderio family and the Sea Isle City Italian-American Club are the principal sponsors of the heart walk. Among those who showed up Saturday were Carmel and Leonard J. Desiderio, the parents of Gerard and Leonard C. Desiderio. The walk unfolded under cloudy skies along Sea Isle’s oceanfront Promenade. Teams of fundraising walkers wore brightly colored T-shirts to designate their companies and organizations. Ruth Brown, a retired pharmacist who knew Gerard Desiderio, was part of a group of about 25 people representing Sea Isle’s Commodore Club, a private restaurant and bar. “When he died, it was sudden. It was way too early,” Brown said. “He was full of life – a good man, a good guy. He loved Sea Isle as much as anyone else.” The Commodore Club members had the number 45 embossed on their blue T-shirts in tribute to Gerard Desiderio’s call sign when he was a volunteer with the city’s ambulance squad, Brown pointed out. From left, Commodore Club members Mark and Maria Mowery, Ruth Brown and Robin and Bill Nickson were part of a team of about 25 walkers. The fundraiser also allows dog lovers to bring their pets along for a “Hounds for Hearts” walk. Fulginiti was accompanied by Beverly, her 9-month-old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. “This is her first time at the beach,” said Fulginiti, who lives in Cape May Court House. Angela and Jim Kelly, of Upper Township, brought their 14-month-old golden Labrador retriever, Sophia, along for her first “Hounds for Hearts” walk. The Kellys, who have been participating in the heart walk for the past five or six years, said it is one of the ways they give back to the community. Angela Kelly, who is the chief financial officer for the 1st Bank of Sea Isle City, said she has fond memories of seeing Gerard Desiderio in the bank. She noted that he was closely involved with the community. “He was a very, very nice man,” she said. Joined by her dog, Beverly, Cape May County Clerk Rita Marie Fulginiti shares a laugh with other walkers.