The Aspinwall community has lost a cherished resident touted for his compassion, kindness and knowledge of wine.

Jerome “Jerry” Stephen Anthony Metallo died on July 15, the morning of his 55th birthday, after battling pancreatic cancer since last summer.

Surrounded by his family at home when he died, Metallo was just hours away from what was supposed to be a birthday celebration in his honor.

Described as an old soul and known for his upbeat and tireless positivity, Metallo was a professional sommelier and wine expert.

He previously worked 15 years as a sommelier with the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board.

Family friend Tiffany Booth bid farewell to Metallo Tuesday, sharing a post by Jerry’s wife Cara Henderson-Metallo on the GoFundMe account to help the family pay cancer-related medical expenses.

To date, more than $55,000 has been donated on Metallo’s behalf.

Henderson-Metallo wrote, “Jerry touched so many lives with his warmth, his laughter and his incredible heart. On a day meant to celebrate his life, we now also honor his memory. While our hearts are heavy, we find comfort knowing he left this world on the same day he entered it — a beautiful symmetry for a beautiful life.”

Metallo was a devoted father to his teenage children, Gianna and Luca.

The Metallos met in 2001 and moved from Pittsburgh to Queens, New York, the following year.

They lived in Queens for eight years and it was there that Metallo pursued his acting career.

“He was an actor on ‘All My Children, and later worked at Astor Wine and Spirits,” Henderson-Metallo said of their New York adventures.

The couple were married 20 years.

Through her grief, Henderson-Metallo expressed appreciation to the Fox Chapel area community for months of unwavering support.

“My message is to come together often, life is too short to drink bad wine,” she said. “I’ll miss his warmth both physically and spiritually.”

Family friend and Fox Chapel resident Anne Perry Finn described Metallo, known as “Papa” in the neighborhood, as a second father to her two children, Amelia and Tyler Finn.

“My kids could walk from their house to our house and back,” Finn said. “He shared fun things with them, like the original ‘Pink Panther’ movies, making homemade pizzas with his homemade dough.”

Finn said her late friend’s unique, old-world charm and strong family sensibility will be missed.

“Cara, G and Luca all knew his love deeply. Our family is blessed to have known Jerry and his legacy will have an impact on us for the rest of our lives,” Finn said.

The family enjoyed what would be their final family vacation together, a trip to Hawaii last month,.

Hawaii was a destination treasured by the Metallo family and it’s where Metallo’s ashes will one day be scattered.

“The time together was filled with beauty, laughter and unforgettable memories. It meant the world to him to be in a place he loved, with the people he loves most,” Henderson-Metallo said.

Metallo is being remembered for his Bloomfield roots and Italian heritage that lent itself to his love of wine, Frank Sinatra and black-and-white movies.

Bryan Evans of Shaler married into the Metallo family almost 40 years ago.

Evans is married Metallo’s cousin, Patti Jo Evans and described him as the ultimate family man and his go-to source for wine recommendations.

“Jerry had a love of food and culture was something he was very proud of. He was my wine guy. He was the glass half full all the time, all the time, even when his situation was dire, he was always positive,” Evans said. “He loved his kids to death and made sure they all had what they needed and was a hands on dad.”

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