Beloved Toms River Soccer Coach Gerard P. Scala, 58, Mourned

TOMS RIVER, NJ — Soccer players and families from the Toms River area are remembering Gerard Peter Scala, an attorney and avid soccer coach, who died Dec. 28, 2018 at Corness Medical Center in New York. He was 58 years old, according to his obituary on the Anderson & Campbell Funeral Home website.

Known as Jerry, he grew up in Bayonne and attended Marist High School in Bayonne, St. Peter’s College in Jersey City and New England School of Law. He practiced law in New Jersey through his firm Gunning & Scala.

He avidly played soccer in both high school and college and went on to train and coach soccer for the Professional Development Association (PDA Shore), Toms River FC and several other Toms River-based youth soccer programs. He was actively involved in coaching each of his children on the Toms River Tar Heels, Hotspurs and Napoli teams and has had a great impact on many players and coaches within our community.

Wendy Kelly-Sheridan wrote on the funeral home's website that she was Jerry's paralegal for 12 years. "Jerry was a GREAT guy. He was a fair, kind and thoughtful boss. He treated his clients the same way. But he was more than a 'boss.' Our office environment was very much that of a family," she said. "He was a tremendously supportive friend to me during a very difficult time in my life and, without hesitation, did everything he could to assist. I have never forgotten that. His values as a husband, father, son, brother and general citizen were always exemplary and impressive. He was hard working, smart, interesting to talk to and had a great sense of humor."

"I am sure that I am only one of MANY who were touched by his great spirit," she wrote.

"Truly one of the greatest men I’ve ever had the privilege to meet and become friends with," wrote George Gallagher. "When I think of all my kids from when they were very young, those early Saturday mornings, out on the Oak Park soccer fields, when they first started playing soccer, I think of Coach Gerry. ... he took the time to coach and really get to know all three of my children. ... My family and I feel blessed to have known Coach Gerry and we will miss him dearly."

"Coach Gerry was a great friend to me and coach to my daughters over the years. ... He was a great man" who blessed many lives, Christopher Peto wrote.

Jerry moved to Toms River 25 years ago with his wife, Michilina (nee Martucci) Scala, who survives him. He also is survived by his mother, Josephine, and three children: Lorenzo, Adrianna and Angelo Scala, and his his brothers, Domenic and Anthony Scala. Jerry was predeceased by his father, Frank Scala.

Visitation continues from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 3, at Anderson & Campbell Funeral Home, 703 Main St. Toms River, NJ 08753. Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at noon on Friday, January 4, at St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church, 685 Hooper Ave Toms River, NJ 08753. Interment at 1 p.m. at Risen Christ Chapel in St. Joseph’s Cemetery, 62 Cedar Grove Rd, Toms River, NJ.

Photo by Karen Wall, Patch staff