Gerald A. Brunotts

Gerald A Brunotts, age 79, beloved husband of Deborah Brunotts, passed away the morning of July 15, 2022 at his residence in Aiken, S.C.

Jerry was born 2/7/1943 in Lorain, Ohio.  He was the son of the late Josephine (Birrittieri) Brunotts & Emilio J. Brunotts of Lorain, Ohio.  He grew up surrounded by many aunts, uncles and cousins that lived in the same neighborhood and was very proud of his Italian heritage.

As a young teen he formed his own band, “The Shadows”, and entertained at many local venues.  His first job was working for his Aunt Lou and Uncle Joe’s downtown restaurant in Lorain, Ohio, “Joe & Lou’s”.

Jerry left Ohio as a young man and ended up in Nashville, Tennessee in the early 60’s.  He went to work for Shoney’s Inc. as a cook.  He worked and was so smart and talented; it was no time until he became Manager of one of their stores.  He continued to progress and became the youngest Area Supervisor in the company.  His abilities and managing skills and production earned him the respect of the entire Shoney’s Corporation.  He left the company in 1977 as Regional Vice President of Shoney’s Inc.

Upon leaving Shoney’s Inc. in 1977, he created his own Restaurant Consultant business and improved many companies and helped develop a restaurant pub concept for a large theatre company in Valdosta, GA.

In 1980 he and his old friend from Shoney’s, Mitch Boyd, joined forces.  They founded and developed SHOCAP, Inc.  Jerry served as Vice President of their company which included 3 restaurant divisions (Shoney’s, Captain D’s & Pargo’s restaurant concepts) and a motel division.  It also included a Construction Company, a Real Estate Development Company and an Aviation company. Pargo’s was Jerry’s  total restaurant concept development.  Jerry was President of Pargo’s, Inc.  He operated the first store in Manassas, VA and subsequently opened and ran stores in Baltimore, MD and Harrisburg, VA.  In 1990 Jerry and Mitch sold their company.  Jerry stayed Pargo’s Division President with the purchasing company for a few years during the transition. 

In early retirement, Jerry worked as a consultant for a few restaurant concepts including Tony Roma’s in Dallas, Texas and National Pizza and Skipper’s seafood concept in Seattle, WA.

At the ripe young age of 50 or so, Jerry finally began to enjoy retirement.  He and Debbie moved to Florida in 1988.  (his beloved Panama City Beach).  They enjoyed many trips to the Caribbean island of St. Maarten and took many cruises enjoying the perks of a lifetime of hard work and sacrifice.  They enjoyed many years of boating and entertaining and spending time with their kids and grandkids.

Jerry’s boating skills were second to none!  He was the ultimate Captain of his ship.  He was generous and smart and kind and anyone who was blessed to be a part of his life is better for it.

Survivors, in addition to his wife, are his four children, Gerald Allen Brunotts, Jr. and son Alexander Blake Brunotts (Jennifer Patton Reynolds), of Nashville, TN , Amanda M. Lippelt (Michael) and sons Matthew and Elijah of Spring Hill, TN, Christopher Brunotts (Shona) and son Michael Brunotts and Sarah Brunotts and Emilie and Hailey of Hermitage, TN and Samantha R. Brunotts and Jayden and Arianna of Acworth, GA. 

A celebration of life will be held later, on a date to be determined.

SHELLHOUSE FUNERAL HOME, INC., 924 HAYNE AVE., AIKEN, SC