Gerald Edward Lofstead, Jr., 82, of Uniontown, PA, passed away on June 24, 2025. Born in Uniontown on August 29, 1942, to Mary and Gerald Lofstead Sr., he was raised in Masontown and attended West End Elementary and Masontown Junior and Senior High Schools, where he graduated in 1960 and lettered in football.

A lifelong reader with a passion for nature, Gerald pursued his academic interests via a football scholarship to the University of Richmond, where he roomed with teammate and fellow Masontown Gunner (Judge) John Vittone. During his career, he played offensive guard and nose guard, became a member of the Beta Beta Beta Biological Honor Society, and graduated in 1964 with a BS in biology.  To support his studies, he worked road construction summers back home; during the school year, he turned a hobby into a curious side hustle, raising tropical fish.

After graduation, Gerald would work in many fields: as a teacher, a coach, a health inspector, a restaurateur, but truly in the raising of freshwater ornamental tropical fish did he find his passion.  He traveled to Africa, Asia, South America, and the Czech Republic to study and collect fish.  He bred and raised his own strain of tropical Discus fish, and for a time, judged fish shows throughout the eastern US.

In 1965, he started a drive-in restaurant and ice cream shop in Masontown, DJ's Fiesta, with his close friend Dick Erhard.  In 1974, he purchased Dolfi's restaurant and developed the business throughout the 1980s to great acclaim. At the same time, he continued to expand Valley Fisheries, his fish business, and opened a new facility in Masontown in 1983. In 1986, he sold his shares in Dolfi's and relocated Valley Fisheries to Florida, where he quickly became one of the region's top producers.

He returned to the Mon Valley in 1992, this time to found Back Bay Restaurant in Morgantown, WV, which he would operate until 1999.  During this time, he reconnected with Gloria Gathy, who would soon become his wife and boon companion. They married in 1992, and she remained by his side for the rest of his days.

Gerald returned to Florida once again in 1999 to found G&G Fisheries, before he and Gloria finally settled in Uniontown, where they purchased The Caddyshack in 2007.  At the request of his oldest friend, Bill Elias, Gerald served as the Foodservice Director at Laurel Highland Schools, implementing cost-cutting measures and revamping the schools' menus.

Gerald is survived by his wife, Gloria, two sons from his first marriage, Gee (Christina) and Jarret, and Gee's children, Graham and Bridget.

Visitation will be held at the Stephen R. Haky Funeral Home, 603 N. Gallatin Ave. Ext., Uniontown, PA 15401 on Sunday, June 29th, from 2:00 to 7:00 PM.

Interment is in Mt. St. Macrina Cemetery, Uniontown.

Your personal written tributes and memories are welcomed and encouraged at www.hakyfuneralhome.com