Obituary: Gerald Anthony Mandora

Gerald Anthony Mandora 1946 ~ 2006 "Now cracks a noble heart. Good night, sweet prince, and flights of angels sing thee to thy rest." - Shakespeare, Hamlet Jerry Mandora passed away with a heart attack in autumn 2006 in the mountain cabin home he built, surrounded by golden quaking aspen and the wild forest he loved. Born December 10, 1946 to Wilhelmina Golini Mandora and Anthony Mandora, in Providence, Rhode Island. Veteran USAF, honorable discharge. En route to California in August 1968 in his red MG, Jerry stopped at Mrs. Backer's Bakery on North Temple, met people he bonded with for life, and settled in Salt Lake City. He attended the University of Utah and enjoyed playing on the NADS Softball Team from Juniors, and valued his Monday night football friends, and fellow workers. He cultivated long lasting deep friendships. Jerry was a master carpenter and craftsman, a consummate builder. A mountain man, he was a gentleman, tenacious, a rugged individualist, a dues-paying member and contributor to several environmental organizations, and a champion of civil liberties and the Bill of Rights. He embraced life and digested it -- the dark as well as the light. He was no stranger to the rewards of silence and solitude. He was an excellent driver and great company on road trips. Springtime motorcycle rides in Logan Canyon, and summer at Bear Lake. Allen Park and Beck Street. Jerry wrote poetry that melts the heart. Moonlight. He was a charismatic and entertaining story teller, a romantic, protective, and masculine Italian man. He also defied definition and definitely did things his way. We love you, Jerry. He was inducted into the Wall of Tolerance, and received a Service Award for his successful career of 20 years with the U.S. Postal Service. A member of the Jeffersonian Society, he was honored by the Presidential Leadership Circle of the Democratic National Committee. Jerry was the Godfather of Charlie Bondaruk and enjoyed teaching children how to make change, solve problems, and discover, with laughter and a twinkle in his eye. He was preceded in death by his parents, and is survived by his cousin James Golini, Mandora and Golini relatives, many friends, good music, joie de vivre, his convictions, and the evergreens and wildlife surrounding his home in the mountains. Graveside service at noon, Friday, November 24, 2006, Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 17111 South Camp Williams Road, 801-254-9036. Wake and Celebration of Jerry's life at Juniors, 30 East 300 South, Salt Lake City from 6:00 until 8 or 9 p.m. Tuesday, November 28, 2006.