Jerome F. Detotto, 83

Jerome F. Detotto, 83, of Venice, FL, and West Yarmouth, MA passed away Wednesday, June 8, 2016, at Venice Regional Bayfront Hospital in Venice, FL. Jerry was born on June 20, 1932 in Brooklyn, N.Y., to Ottavio and Giovanna Detotto and grew up in New Britain, CT. He attended his 65th high school reunion in September 2015. He graduated from Trinity College in 1954 where he was a French scholar and he was featured in the digital class notes in 2006.  Jerry, a native of New Britain, majored in romance languages. For many years following a business career in the insurance industry in Connecticut and New York state, he taught French and Spanish in the Fayetteville-Manlius School district in Manlius, and following retirement, he taught Italian at Syracuse University.
Jerry developed into an actor and has played many roles in community theaters in Rochester and Syracuse, NY and, later in retirement, Venice and Englewood, FL and Cape Cod, MA.  Jerry has said “I am definitely a character actor-nobody ever mistook me for a leading man.”  Favorite roles included Mel in Neil Simons “Prisoner of 2nd Avenue,” Oscar in “Odd Couple,” Willie in “Sunshine Boys,” Frank in “Over the River and Through The Woods” in 2003, leaning heavily on his proud Italian background. Other roles:  Alfie/”My Fair Lady,” “Guys and Dolls,” Benny, and in Venice “Guys and Dolls” in 2005 as Big Julie and, at Lemon Bay, Abbot Costello in “Monkey Business.”  These are just a few of his experiences on stage.
Jerry is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Nancy Detotto and cherished sons:  Jay Detotto of Austin, TX, and Lance Detotto of Hallandale Beach, FL. He was preceded in death by son, Bruce and daughter-in-law, Denise Detotto.  “The cousins” and surviving family members include:  sister-in-law, Beverly Lemire, niece, Lynn and husband, Brian, and Jeryd and Jessica. He was predeceased by loving cousins Aurora and Mike Mitrano of Nutley, NJ.  He also leaves additional family members in New Jersey and Sardinia, Italy.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Epiphany Cathedral in Venice, FL, Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd, 1115 Center Road, Venice, FL 34292,  or St. David’s Episcopal Church, 205 Old Main Street, Yarmouth, MA 02664.
Jerry loved golf on Cape Cod and Capri Isles where he celebrated his “hole in one” on Feb. 5, 2005. He was a devoted lifelong fan of the NY Yankees and S.U. sports.
He leaves devoted friends and former students in Florida, Manlius and the Syracuse area, Connecticut and Cape Cod. His family, friends and neighbors north and south, east and west were the greatest joys of his life.
Mass of Christian burial: 11 a.m. Tuesday, June 14, at Epiphany Cathedral. Family worship services: 10 a.m. Sunday, June 12, at the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd.
To share a memory visit farleyfuneralhome.com.