08/01/2026
Our hearts go out to the Gerardi family for our lost Comrade. Putnam has lost a great man and he will not be forgotten.
FROM THE WINY RADIO NEWSROOM: FORMER WINY RADIO OWNER MICHAEL GERARDI HAS DIED AT AGE 86: The WINY family sends heartfelt condolences to Michele , Mark, Amy, Melanie, Marie and Lori and extended family and friends for your loss. We will always remember Mike’s guidance, leadership and friendship. His voice and influence are an indelible part of the WINY legacy.
Michael J. Gerardi
1939 - 2026
Jupiter, FL – Michael J. Gerardi, 86, of Jupiter, FL, formerly of Dayville, CT, died peacefully on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, at Jupiter Medical Center. Born September 16, 1939, in Putnam, Michael was the beloved son of the late Wida and Dora (Beauregard) Gerardi. He graduated from Putnam Technical School and entered the United States Marine Corps at age 17, serving 2 years, stationed in Pingtung Taiwan and Okinawa Japan.
Mike started his 40-year career in broadcasting at WILI in Willimantic, discovering his talents of announcing with his rich radio voice. Following his heart, he married his sweetheart, Kathleen (Rice) Gerardi and together they were a team in the office and at home. They eventually owned and operated WINY of the Gerardi Broadcasting Company from 1989-2001. He was the innovator of live, remote broadcasts that served the local community from school sporting events to grand openings, always supporting small business. He also served his parish, St Mary of Putnam, with his gifted voice as a regular lector. Mike and Kathy enjoyed 54 years of marriage until the Lord called her home in 2016.
He was a member of the VFW and Elks, but his favorite membership was Quinnatisset Golf Course where he could get a quick 9-hole round in after work. Over the years he played in several tournaments and played at numerous courses in the tri-state area and in Palm Beach County.
Mike was an audiophile; loved stereos, tubes and speakers. He was a record collector, especially oldies and highlighted his collection on the Sunday Morning Swingtime Show on WINY.
Mike will be known for his witty sense of humor and short one-liners. He loved to tell stories and give sound advice to his kids and grandkids. He was a great example of a faithful, dedicated, and loving husband, father, brother, uncle, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend.
He is survived by his three children, Michele Fall and her husband Michael of Port St Lucie, FL, Mark Gerardi and his wife Suzanne of Nantucket, MA, and Amy Reutter and her husband Brook of Tulsa, OK; his sisters, Melanie Mathieu of Boylston, MA, Marie Bogdanski of Pembroke, MA, and Lori Carminati of Woodstock; his nine grandchildren, Jessica, Nathan, Sarah, Evan, Sophie, Hannah, Jordan, Kara, Emily; his four great grandchildren, Ronan, Reid, Alexander, and Micah, and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brother, Robert Gerardi and his sisters, Susan Rich, Diane O’Brien, and Gail Marie Ducharme
Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend a Memorial Mass of Christian Burial in St. Mary Church of the Visitation, 218 Providence St., Putnam, CT on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, at 11:00AM. A private burial will take place immediately following the service. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Michael’s name may be made to St. Mary Church of the Visitation, P.O. Box 665, Putnam, CT 06260.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Gilman Funeral Home, 104 Church St., Putnam CT 06260. For memorial guestbook visit www.GilmanAndValade.com
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Michael J Gerardi, please visit our floral store.
https://www.gilmanandvalade.com/obituaries/Michael-J-Gerardi?obId=49166774
