Deacon Jerry was born on June 10, 1935 in the Tacony Section of Philadelphia, Pa. to Walter J. and Marie A. Smith. He has 2 brothers and 6 sisters. Jerry attended St. Leo Elementary School in Philadelphia from Kindergarten through 8th grade and LaSalle College/High School in Olney, Pa. After 4 years of service in the United States Air Force Jerry completed a 35 year career as an Air Traffic Controller with the Federal Aviation Administration. Jerry has been married to Patsy for 59 years. They have raised 7 children, 4 of their own and 3 of Patsy’s sister’s children. Jerry was ordained a Permanent Deacon by Bishop Thomas Wenski in Orlando, FL on June 6, 1998. His ministries include participation in the Cursillo movement, KAIROS Prison Ministry for 25 years, Coordinator of the Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion and assisting in training in the Altar Server Ministry as well as the parish RCIA program. Currently Jerry is a member of the Volusia County Code Enforcement Board. He has served as a Past Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus Council #6274 in DeLand, and is a licensed real estate broker and owner of an active real estate brokerage firm called Prestige Property Specialists.