Retired Greenfield Township Police Chief Gerald J. "Jerry" Rusek, Sr., 81, died Thursday evening, November 7, 2019 at Geisinger Community Medical Center, Scranton, surrounded by his family. Jerry was born at home in Greenfield Township on November 27, 1937 to the late Joseph and Stella Navalany Rusek. He was raised on the family's dairy farm and after graduating from Greenfield High School, he enlisted in the United States Navy where he proudly served aboard the destroyer, U.S.S. Wallace L. Lind. After his honorable discharge, Jerry entered the work force and found employment with Warner Chilcott Pharmaceuticals in New Jersey as a quality control inspector. Upon returning home, he married the love of his life the former Lorraine M. Wodnicki, whom he shared 53 years of marriage. It was at this time that he was appointed a deputy constable in Greenfield Township and was later elected constable. He held the honor of being appointed the first Chief of Police in Greenfield Township and served for 35 years. Jerry was an active member in the early years of the Greenfield Township Fire and Ambulance Company. He was also a member of the Fraternal Order of Police, Northeastern Lodge 63, where he served as a past president and treasurer. A member of the Greenfield Township Lions Club, he helped raise funds for the formation of the Lions Club baseball fields, now called the Sgt. Eric W. Slebodnik Memorial Sports Complex. With the help of many friends, Jerry collected over a half ton of aluminum can tabs for the Ronald McDonald House of Scranton and Philadelphia. An avid outdoorsman, Jerry was a member of the Finch Hill Rod and Gun Club and enjoyed hunting and fishing trips to Canada. The family would like to thank the entire staff at Geisinger-CMC for their kind and compassionate care to both Jerry and their entire family during his illness. He is survived by his wife: Lorraine Rusek; two children: Cynthia Harvey and companion, C.J. Lynady of Carbondale, PA, and Gerald J. Rusek, Jr., and wife Diane of Lenox, PA; loving grandfather "Jaju" to: Gerald John "Jey" Rusek, III. and Camdyn Rusek; He is also survived by a brother: Thomas Rusek of Newton Lake, PA; two sisters: Dolores Mascaro of Rochester, NY and Dorothy Trotta of Florida; several nieces and nephews. He was also preceded in death by a granddaughter: Madison Suzanne Hope Rusek; a brother: Joseph Rusek; three sisters; Carol Belcher, Pearl Elrod and Maryann Miller. The funeral was held Monday, November 11, 2019 at 9:30 a.m. from the Shifler-Parise Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 18 Airport Road, Clifford, PA, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 a.m. in St. Pius X Church, Royal, PA, celebrated by the Rev. Michael J. Kirwin, pastor. Interment with military honors, Our Mother of Sorrows Cemetery, Greenfield Township, PA. Honorary Pallbearer: Walter Rusek, Jr. Honor guard provided by the Fraternal Order of Police, Northeastern Lodge 63. Pallbearers: T.J. Sakosky, Thomas Drennan, Jesse VanDeusen, David Graham, Robert Williams and Thomas Hildebrand. Military honors accorded by the U.S. Navy and the Simpson VFW Honor Guard. Friends called Sunday, November 10, 2019 from 3-7 p.m. at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions were made to the Ronald McDonald House of Scranton, 322 Wheeler Avenue, Scranton, PA 18510 in memory of Jerry's granddaughter, Madison Suzanne Hope Rusek. Visitation at Funeral Home 3:00 pm - 7:00 pm Sunday, November 10, 2019 Shifler-Parise Funeral Home & Cremation Services 18 Airport Road Clifford, Pennsylvania, United States 18413 Mass 10:00 am Monday, November 11, 2019 St. Pius X Church 3615 State Route 106 Clifford Township, Pennsylvania, United States 18470 Final Resting Place 11:30 am Monday, November 11, 2019 Our Mother Of Sorrows Cemetery 400 State Route 106 Greenfield Township, Pennsylvania, United States 18407