Gerard A. "Jerry" Nardone, 85, of Knoxville, Tenn., passed away at home surrounded by family on Aug. 27, 2008.

Originally from Westerly, he lived on Long Island before retiring to Knoxville.  A graduate of Tufts University, he served as a lieutenant in the Navy 1944-1947.

Mr. Nardone had a passion for boats and airplanes and a dedication to family and friends. An aerospace engineer, he retired from Grumman Aerospace after 26 years. Among his proudest accomplishments was his work on the F-14 Tomcat and on NASA's Apollo Lunar Landing Module. 

Mr. Nardone was an avid golfer, bridge enthusiast, and member of the West Knoxville Civitan Club, for which he served as president 1989-1990. 

He is predeceased by mother, Beatrice; father, Peter; and sister, Angela.  Survivors include his loving wife of 58 years, Philomena, known to friends as Phyllis; son, Peter Nardone (Jane) of Montpelier, Va.; daughter, Edna Nardone Feulner of Oak Park, Ill.; grandchildren, Keith Feulner (Laurie) of Seymour, and Kelly Broderick (Don) of La Grange, Ill.; several great-grandchildren; and brother, Ramon Nardone (Arpi) of West Nyack, N.Y.

The family will receive friends at Highland Memorial Funeral Home, 5315 Kingston Pike on Friday, Aug. 29, from 5 to 7 p.m. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. at All Saints Church, 620 N. Cedar Bluff Road, Knoxville, TN 37923 on Saturday, Aug. 30, Father Michael Woods Celebrant. Private entombment to follow.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be sent in memory of Gerard to Caris HealthCare, 130 Mabry Hood Road, Suite 108, Knoxville, TN 37922.

The family wishes to thank Dr. Richard Antonucci and staff, and the team at Caris HealthCare for their loving support.

Additional information and an online guestbook is available at www.highlandmemorialparks.com. Highland Memorial (Bearden) 588-0567.