Gerardo Iturrino: Scientist

Dr. Gerardo “Gerry” Iturrino, 51, of Nyack, NY passed away unexpectedly on March 12, 2014. Born to his loving parents, Noemi and Jose, in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, Gerry went on to study at Purdue University and the University of Miami, where he earned his PhD from the Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science. His curiosity led him to many places – drilling into the deep ocean floor and exploring remote parts of the earth – which suited his work perfectly for the past 18 years as a research scientist and geophysicist at Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory in Palisades, NY. He sailed many expeditions aboard the research vessel, the Joides Resolution, and played a important role in the rebuilding and modernization of the ship (http://www.ldeo.columbia.edu/BRG/outreach/media/tales/img/Tales2.pdf).

Gerry also enjoyed traveling for pleasure, especially when it might involve scuba diving, snorkling with his daughter in Puerto Rico, biking with his friends, sailing or, most recently, skiing. But by far his greatest joy came from his role as devoted dad to his daughter, Sierra.

Gerry was preceded in death by his father Jose Iturrino. He is survived by his mother, Noemi Archilla Iturrino; his sister Ivonne Iturrino Alemany and her husband Walter; his brother Angel Luis Iturrino; along with his nieces and nephew, Melissa, Matthew, Melanie and her husband Parker. He will also be greatly missed by his daughter Sierra; his wife of 16 years, Diana Cutt, and her family: Gerry’s mother-in-law Julie Cutt; father-in-law Edwin Cutt; sister-in-law Carol Peters and her husband Nicholas; brother-in-law Jeff Cutt and his wife Penny; and his nephew Evan.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Sierra Iturrino Scholarship Fund c/o Hannemann Funeral Home, Inc. 88 South Broadway, Nyack, NY 10960, a scholarship fund set up on behalf of Sierra Iturrino.