OBITUARy Lynbrook hero Gerry Denk is dead at 70

By NICole FoRMIsANo nformisano@liherald.com

Many in the Lynbrook community remember Gerry Denk as the man who saved Our Lady of Peace from a gunman in 2002. To those who loved him, however, that was just one item on a very long list of what made him special.

They remember his contagious laughter, his lifelong sense of adventure, and his commitment to his wife, children and grandchildren.

Denk died on April 27, at age 70, after battling throat cancer. His resilience lives on in his family, including his wife Louise, their children. Tara and Gregory, and their grandchildren, Nicholas, Olivia, Luca and Penelope. Gerry’s sister, Denise Schanck, reflected on his life in a eulogy that honored his life and his character.

“Gerry will always be with us,” she wrote.“His crazy sense of humor, his intelligence, his uncommon bravery, his selfless service to everyone who needed him. I will miss him but know he is pain-free and still beautiful.”

Schanck’s eulogy tells the story of a man full of strength, love and dedication to what is right. A Vietnam War veteran. Denk joined the Marines and rose to the rank of sergeant during his time stationed in the Philippines. While serving, he was diagnosed with osteosarcoma of the jaw. Though only 22, undergoing surgery and chemotherapy, and living thousands of miles away from his family, he refused to let the situation affect his sense of purpose.

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