Girolamo "Gerry" "Mimmo" Afonica, 70 years, of Toledo, Ohio formerly of Monroe, Michigan, went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, July 9, 2023 at ProMedica Flower Hospital in Sylvania, Ohio.
Born May 6, 1953 in Borgetto, Sicily, Gerry was the son of Antonino and Maria (Taormina) Afonica. Gerry moved to Monroe in 1969 from Borgetto.
On December 11, 1992, Gerry married the love of his life, the former Christine M. Kosik, in Toledo.
When Gerry first moved to Monroe he worked in construction. He then went to work as a truck driver for Messina Concrete from which he retired in 2015 after 28 years of service to the company.
Gerry enjoyed classic cars, especially corvettes, riding his Harley - Davidson, power lifting, making wine and cooking. Gerry was well known and received many accolades for decorating his home, inside and out, for Christmas. He was especially proud of his Fontanini Nativity Scene. More than anything, Gerry loved time spent with family.
Gerry, or as his family called him, "Mimmo" is survived by the love of his life, his wife of 30 years, Tina, his caring mother and step father, Maria and Luigi Afonica – Scotti of Monroe, five loving children: Monica, (Benji) Kilgour of Swanton, OH, Maria Afonica of Monroe, Annamarie (Brian) Foltz of Waterville, OH, Ryan (Jo – Marie) Ambrosia of Sylvania, OH and Antonino (Marcy) Afonica of Trenton, MI, 14 grandchildren, two great grandchildren, five siblings: John (Kay) Afonica of Ida, Antonia (Juanita) Reale of Monroe, Cathy May of Monroe, Marianna (Dale) Fultze of Carleton and Rose (Joe) Sharrow of Monroe and his best friend from Borgetto whom he met in kindergarten and talked with every week, Vince Foraci.
He was preceded in death by his father, Antonino, grandparents: Giovanni and Marianna Taormina and Girolamo and Rosa Afonica, and his uncle, Aurelio Taormina.
Visitation will be held on Sunday, July 16, 2023, beginning at 1:00 pm at Bacarella Funeral Home, 1201 S. Telegraph Rd., Monroe, Michigan, 48161, where funeral services celebrating Gerry's life will begin at 5:00 pm that afternoon. Fr. Kishore Battu will officiate. In keeping with Gerry's wishes cremation will follow at Roselawn Memorial Park.