Gerald John 'Jerry,' of Berlin, formerly of Haddonfield, peacefully on April 11, 2024, age 84, with family and friends by his side. Jerry was born and raised in Northeast Philadelphia by his parents, Albert C. Banfe and Helen T. Banfe (née Stretch), one of six brothers and one sister. Jerry regarded his mother as the smartest person he ever met and would often tell stories about how he would seek her advice. He regarded his father as a hard-working provider, a man who held three jobs to support the family and never complained at all. Throughout his life, Jerry would continue to seek advice from his mom and work as hard as his dad. When Jerry dropped out of high school to help to support the family, he did so with this value of family instilled deep in his core. Jerry was exceptionally proud of the fact that he had to go to three high schools to get his G.E.D.; it was a badge of honor. Early on, Jerry worked as a short order cook, counter-man, at Linton’s Food service, until a close friend recruited him to be a junior salesperson for SCM selling copy machines. Upon learning that the position of junior salesperson did not technically exist, Jerry suddenly had to learn how to make sales calls and sell. He learned quickly and, with family as his core value, he immediately recruited his brothers Paul, and Ed to join him at SCM as “junior” salesmen, too. The three brothers enjoyed much success with SCM and left to join a rival company, Copy-Quik, where they were joined with their brother Al. After a disagreement on the commission structure, and feeling his work was undervalued, Jerry left Copy-Quik. Accompanied by his family and mother, Jerry discussed names for what would become their opus. Agreeing they did not want the word “Copy” in the title, they quickly agreed on “Dupli-Fax.' Fasten your seatbelts; history was about to be made. Together, at Dupli-Fax, the family grew to include more families: Dragani, Harkin, Connolly, Rankin, with Jerry leading as the CEO. Soon, they started spinoff companies logically positioned to take advantage of other business needs, including Citi-Lease and Oakwood leasing. Other companies were created so the family could co-invest in multiple properties in Acapulco and a yacht in the Caribbean. Remembering his dissatisfaction with miserly owners who quibbled over commission structure, Jerry instead chose to share the wealth. The family worked hard and partied harder, creating enduring memories of a lifetime. Eventually, the companies grew so large that Canon made them an offer they couldn’t refuse. The Dupli-Fax chapter was over. The next chapter was to begin. For his next act, Jerry became an Entre-“Manure”, enjoying great success by founding “Banfe Soil and Mulch,' prompting a close friend to say that Jerry was the only person he knew who could make money selling dirt to farmers. His creativity was in full bloom, creating memorable names for simple products like Magical Mushroom, and manure named Premium #2. Throughout his work life, Jerry worked hard and played hard; he really only knew one speed and two outcomes. You could try something and succeed or you could try and fail. If it was the latter, try again but even harder. Jerry loved family and he loved fun. If you knew Jerry, you were a part of his family. It did not matter if you were related or if he met you in line while waiting at the deli. Some of his best friends were at the Walmart or the Aldi. In the last weeks of his life, his nurses adored him; he was the favorite no matter where he went, constantly telling bad, and sometimes inappropriate, jokes, feeling the need to put others at ease even as he fought for his life. Jerry is survived by Sharon (née Connolly), his devoted wife of 44 years and his five children: Gerald John Banfe, Jr. (Kathy), Kimberly Alberta Stroemel, (Russ), Daniel Lewis Banfe (Colleen), Brett Connolly Banfe (Samantha), and Brian Andrew Banfe. Jerry is also survived by ten grandchildren who lovingly called him “Poppy:' Miller, Jerry (Francesca), Jack, Bird, Augie, Faith, Carly, Bella, Hunter, Hannah. Poppy has one great-grandchild, Kai. Jerry also leaves his brothers: Albert, Paul, and Peter, his sister, Regina and his many wonderful nieces and nephews and grand nieces and grand nephews. Jerry was predeceased by his brothers, Thomas and Edward and his parents Albert and Helen. Relatives and friends were invited to his viewing at EVOY-BANASZ FUNERAL HOME, 129 White Horse Pike, Haddon Heights. On Thursday morning, April 18, there will be a viewing from 10:00 to 11:15a.m. at St. Rose of Lima R.C. Church, 4th Avenue and Kings Highway, Haddon Heights, where a Mass of Resurrection will follow 11:30a.m. Internment private. In lieu of flowers, we ask that you simply pay it forward to a new friend in line in Jerry’s honor.