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Melvin Gerczak
Melvin “Sonny” Eugene Gerczak, 78, of Colington Harbour in Kill Devil Hills, NC joined the angels in heaven on May 13, 2025 after battling multiple chronic illnesses for many years. Sonny passed away in his home surrounded by his loved ones. Despite spending his later years in and out of hospitals, Sonny never lost his sense of humor. Throughout his entire journey, he cracked jokes with his family and nurses. He was blessed with the ability to make others smile and his sense of humor will be missed.
Sonny was born on April 1, 1947 in Baltimore, MD to Melvin John and Lillian Gerczak. He grew up in Hampton, VA, was a Hampton High School Crabber football star, and married his true love and honey, his high school sweetheart Brenda Owen. After high school, Sonny had a career as an auto mechanic. He had four children at a very young age and was a force of nature, determined to provide for his family and give them the life they deserved. Sonny was a born athlete and dog lover. After his illustrious high school football career, he played softball with the Newport News Police Department as a Smokey Bear, coached his sons in Northampton Little League baseball, and became an avid golfer in his later years. Through the years, Sonny always had a dog by his side.
Anyone who knew Sonny, loved him and his fun-loving personality. His passing has left a void in the hearts of his family and friends whose lives were touched by him. We ask that you not remember him for the way his life ended but for the way it was lived and the infectious smile and overwhelming laughter he shared with those who had the pleasure of knowing him.
Sonny was preceded in death by his father Melvin John, his mother Lillian, and his sister Carolyn. He is survived by his wife, Brenda Gerczak; his children, Kristin Gerczak, Angela Green, Melvin “Buster” Gerczak Jr, and Brian Gerczak; seven grandchildren, one great granddaughter, sister, Geraldine “Gerry” Hoehn and family, one niece, several nephews, his doggie Riot, and many friends and prior teammates.
The family would like to thank the Colington Fire Department, the Kill Devil Hills Fire Department, Gallop Funeral Services, caregivers from Adoration Home Health, and the medical professionals who have provided support and care for many years.
A Celebration of Life to honor Sonny Gerczak will be held on Saturday June 21, 2025 at 2PM in his home. May Sonny’s memory be a blessing and continue to uplift us all. Please leave a message of comfort at gallopfuneralservices.com. Gallop Funeral Services was entrusted with arrangements.
Condolences
Condolences for your family, I pray that your hearts heal and the memories always make you smile.
So sorry for your loss. Love and prayers to everyone. ❤️🙏
To Brenda and Krissy and Brian and Angie and Buster. I'm so very sorry for your lose.
We are so sorry to hear of Uncle Sonny's passing. We are with you in spirit. May his memory be a blessing. Sending love to you all. Love, Valarie and Matt
My heart aches for the loss of Sonny, my condolences to the family. Rest in Peace sunshine, you are an inspiration to your family and friends
Justin my condolences to you and your family in the lost of your grandpa. I pray that the memories of your grandpa will always bring a smile to your face.💕
My heart and prayers are with all of you. I met him a few times and he was funny. I pray that your hearts will heal and a smile stays on your face knowing that he is in Heaven with God
Sonny was a presents where ever he went Always friendly and had a Hugh smile my heart goes out to all the family of Sonny and it nice to know he's with the angels Maybe playing ball with many love yall
I am so sorry to hear about Sonny’s passing. My son Rob played ball with Brian at Hampton and I remember seeing Sonny at all the games at Hampton and Post 31 Legion Ball. Please accept my condolences. Sending love and Prayers.
Sonny was a super nice guy and an outstanding athlete. He always seemed happy and full of fun. I have many fond memories of watching him play ball. My thoughts are with Brenda and all of his family.
So sorry to learn of Sonny’s passing. Condolences to your family. Keeping all in thoughts and prayers.❤️🩹
Sonny was a classmate and acquaintance of mine at Hampton High School. I haven’t seen him for 60 years, but judging from his obituary, he led precisely the full and joyful life I would have expected of him. My sincerest condolences to his family.— Kent Willis
Brenda, I’m so sorry to hear of Sonny’s passing. You two were the best couple in HHS. So in love! He was the star football player and you cheering him on! What memories. Prayers for your family and may he fly high!
Brenda, I am so sorry for your loss. Sonny and I grew up together in the Northampton neighborhood. We were all classmates and had fun together. I haven’t seen him for a while, but memories are lasting.
So many wonderful memories of Uncle Sonny. Love and prayers to all of the family.
Dear Brenda and Family, sorry for the loss of Sonny but you know where he is and hold onto that promise. May God wrap his arms around you. Love and prayers💙🙏🏻
He was five years ahead of me but his exploits for the crabbers was still being talked about when I was a sophomore.
BRENDA AND FAMILY, SORRY ABOUT SONNY BUT GLAD THAT HE IS AT PEACE.REMEMBER THE GOOD TIMES. LOVE,LARRY & BETTY OWEN
So sorry to hear of Sonny’s death. Our whole family just loved Sonny. He was so much fun. Sonny clearly had a happy and successful life filled with love. Brenda, my condolences to you and your family.
Brenda, My deepest condolences to you and your family. May you cherish all the fond memories that you have of Sonny. May God guide you and your family through this difficult time.. God Bless you! We miss ya! Ron
My sincere condolences for you and your family Brenda. This was a beautiful write up portraying a wonderful man that I am sure will be missed by many.
Condolences for your family, I pray that your hearts heal and the memories always make you smile.
So sorry for your loss. Love and prayers to everyone. ❤️🙏
To Brenda and Krissy and Brian and Angie and Buster.
I’m so very sorry for your lose.
We are so sorry to hear of Uncle Sonny’s passing. We are with you in spirit. May his memory be a blessing. Sending love to you all.
Love, Valarie and Matt
My heart aches for the loss of Sonny, my condolences to the family. Rest in Peace sunshine, you are an inspiration to your family and friends
Justin my condolences to you and your family in the lost of your grandpa. I pray that the memories of your grandpa will always bring a smile to your face.💕
My heart and prayers are with all of you. I met him a few times and he was funny. I pray that your hearts will heal and a smile stays on your face knowing that he is in Heaven with God
Sonny was a presents where ever he went Always friendly and had a Hugh smile my heart goes out to all the family of Sonny and it nice to know he’s with the angels Maybe playing ball with many love yall
I am so sorry to hear about Sonny’s passing. My son Rob played ball with Brian at Hampton and I remember seeing Sonny at all the games at Hampton and Post 31 Legion Ball. Please accept my condolences. Sending love and Prayers.
Sonny was a super nice guy and an outstanding athlete. He always seemed happy and full of fun. I have many fond memories of watching him play ball. My thoughts are with Brenda and all of his family.
So sorry to learn of Sonny’s passing. Condolences to your family. Keeping all in thoughts and prayers.❤️🩹
Sonny was a classmate and acquaintance of mine at Hampton High School. I haven’t seen him for 60 years, but judging from his obituary, he led precisely the full and joyful life I would have expected of him. My sincerest condolences to his family.— Kent Willis
Brenda, I’m so sorry to hear of Sonny’s passing. You two were the best couple in HHS. So in love! He was the star football player and you cheering him on! What memories. Prayers for your family and may he fly high!
Brenda, I am so sorry for your loss. Sonny and I grew up together in the Northampton neighborhood. We were all classmates and had fun together.
I haven’t seen him for a while, but memories are lasting.
So many wonderful memories of Uncle Sonny. Love and prayers to all of the family.
Dear Brenda and Family, sorry for the loss of Sonny but you know where he is and hold onto that promise. May God wrap his arms around you. Love and prayers💙🙏🏻
He was five years ahead of me but his exploits for the crabbers was still being talked about when I was a sophomore.
BRENDA AND FAMILY,
SORRY ABOUT SONNY BUT GLAD THAT
HE IS AT PEACE.REMEMBER THE GOOD
TIMES. LOVE,LARRY & BETTY OWEN
So sorry to hear of Sonny’s death. Our whole family just loved Sonny. He was so much fun. Sonny clearly had a happy and successful life filled with love. Brenda, my condolences to you and your family.
Brenda,
My deepest condolences to you and your family. May you cherish all the fond memories that you have of Sonny. May God guide you and your family through this difficult time.. God Bless you! We miss ya!
Ron
My sincere condolences for you and your family Brenda. This was a beautiful write up portraying a wonderful man that I am sure will be missed by many.