Colonel Gerald "Jerry" Anthony Vianello

Colonel Gerald Anthony Vianello (2/10/1946-1/11/2025)

Gerald “Jerry” was born in Cincinnati, OH. He graduated from Purcell High School in 1964 and went on to attend The University of Cincinnati on a swimming scholarship.  Jerry and his team captured the Missouri Valley Conference Championship all 4 years.  Jerry capped his diving career by finaling in both the 1- and 3-meter springboard NCAA Championships. Jerry graduated from The University of Cincinnati with a B.S. in Education in 1969. While at UC, Jerry was part of the ROTC program. He also met his future bride, Suzi McKee Vianello, and they were married in 1970. 

After graduating, Jerry continued his career with the USMC by completing OCS in Quantico, VA. Jerry and Suzi were then stationed in Pensacola, FL for flight school and then returned to Quantico, VA for infantry.  They went on to Camp LeJeune, NC and then Norfolk, VA where Jerry served on the USS Columbus for 1 year.  Jerry and Suzi later settled down in Mariemont, OH where he served as a senior officer of the USMC reserve center.  Over the years, Jerry served in active-duty tours in Panama while guarding canal, throughout the Caribbean Sea/islands, Italy and the Mediterranean Sea. Jerry was activated during the Desert Storm War to Quantico, VA. Overall, Jerry served a total of 33 years in the USMC and earned the rank of a full Colonel. 

Jerry held a distinguished civilian career in Human Resources with Avon, Keebler, Intermec and Waddington North America.

As a selfless lifelong volunteer, Jerry served on numerous village committees and planning commissions while living and raising his family in Mariemont. He even helped to build the tot lot. Jerry was also an EMT volunteer for Mariemont prior to the establishment of their fire department. He might be most known for his volunteer work for over 40 years at Mariemont High School giving countless hours while coaching diving, tutoring students and filming for the football program.  For all of his volunteer work, Jerry was inducted into the MHS Hall of Fame in 2004.  Jerry also coached numerous youth sports and was one of Mariemont’s greatest fans supporting athletes. 

Jerry also loved to be a part of the Cincinnati community by staying connected to his roots at Purcell HS, being a member of U.C.’s “C” Club, being part of the 2/10 birthday club and a member of Cincinnati’s branch of the Sons of Italy. 

After serving and residing in Mariemont for almost 50 years, Jerry was proudly awarded a key to the Village in 2019 and was proclaimed Mariemont’s “Citizen of the Year” this past May, 2024. 

Jerry’s biggest pride and joy of his life, however, was his beloved family.  Jerry is survived by his wife Suzi, whom he shared almost 55 wonderful years of marriage. Loving father of Stephen (Sally) Vianello, Brian (Brandy) Vianello and Rebecca Vianello (Lorne) Hlad. He adored his grandchildren Bailey, Alec, Alyssa, Talon, Demaree & Hudson Vianello and Brianna, Noah and Luke Hlad. Dear brother of Donna (Richard) Neal. He was preceded in death by his parents Albert John Vianello and Elizabeth Ann Guy.

Family and friends are invited to a Celebration of Jerry's life on Saturday January 25th at 2 PM, followed by United States Marine Corps Military Honors and a reception, all at Horizon Church, 3950 Newtown Road Cincinnati, Ohio 45244.

In lieu of flowers, the family would prefer memorials be made to The Jerry Vianello Memorial Scholarship Fund, to benefit Mariemont graduates entering the armed forces, a service academy or ROTC program.  Donations can be made at PNC Bank and will also be accepted at the celebration of his life. 

 The livestream link below will be active for the ceremony.