VARYSBURG, N.Y. – Gerard “Jerry” F. Ciancio Jr. passed away on Wednesday in Varysburg, N.Y., at age 73.

Ciancio got his start in racing in 1972 at Lancaster Speedway near Buffalo, driving the ex-Jim Howard Chevrolet Late Model. He quickly learned his way around the track and the No. 00 was a car to be reckoned with. Ciancio moved up to the Modified class in 1973, driving a coach built by Roger Treichler, which was reskinned with Gremlin tin. Ciancio raced through the 1970s and was a respected and admired competitor.

He loved building cars, racing cars, fishing and boating. He worked for several years for the family business, Joseph Ciancio & Sons, later joined the Masons Union, then retired as a correctional officer for the NYSDOC.

Ciancio is survived by his wife Nancy, daughter Lori, brother Mark and sister Terri. A celebration of Jerry’s life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Varysburg Volunteer Fire Department, P.O. Box 638, Varysburg, NY, 14167.