More detail on this person: Delio G. Colonna Jr., "Jerry" passed away peacefully at home on November 8, 2018, after battling declining health and several recent illnesses. He was surrounded with loving embraces from his beloved wife of 30 years, Nancy, his amazing daughter Krista Colonna (Peoria, AZ) and beautiful grand daughter Maya Miller. Jerry is also survived by two sisters and brothers-in-law, Flora Collette (Al) of N. Little Rock, AR, Mary Jo Pitts (Terry) of Shelbyville, TN, loving Aunt Joyce Carey (Jack) of Ambridge, PA and a host of nephews, nieces, cousins and friends. Jerry served 12 years in the U.S. Army as a helicopter pilot with the 1st Air Cav Division. Among his many awards included the Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star and Purple Heart. Upon leaving the military Jerry entered Civil Service as a Personnel Staffing Specialist. He quickly advanced through the field to the position of Ft. Huachuca Civilian Personnel Officer where he was recognized with the William H. Kushnick award, the most prestigious award presented to civilian personnel managers. Jerry then transferred to Washington DC where he was assigned as Assistant Secretary of the Army for Manpower and Reserve Affairs; eventually returning to Ft. Huachuca, AZ to complete his civil service career as Director of Human Resources for the Intelligence Center and Ft. Huachuca. In 1996 Jerry and Nancy established Delio's Italian Restaurant and Old World Pizza and ran the popular local eatery for 16 years. Jerry enjoyed a lifelong passion for classic cars, particularly corvettes and cherished the camaraderie among his gear head friends. On any given afternoon he could be found lounging in his man cave enjoying old Western TV shows. Jerry was immensely proud of his family, loved Sierra Vista, the solitude of his home, family pets and his adoring wife. Jerry will be interred at the Southern Arizona Veteran's Memorial Cemetery. The family requests no flowers, rather remembrances may be made in his name to the Wounded Warrior Project.
Burial information: Southern Arizona Veteran's Memorial Cemetery
This information was last updated 11/15/2018
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Date posted on this site: 03/10/2024
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