Jerry M. Puga

Geraldo "Jerry" Puga was born in Alberhill in 1935. His family lived in Alberhill, where his father worked in clay products manufacturing. The Puga's moved to Corona when Jerry was ten. When he was finished with school, he followed his father into clay manufacturing. An uncle advised him that he could do better. Following the suggestion, Jerry began his career in floor coverings at Larry Graebner's Furniture in Corona. Except for a tour of duty in the Army, Jerry was in the carpet/floor covering business for over fifty years. Corona was without the convenience of a carpet store until 1960 when Jerry and his partner, the late Frank Addleman opened the doors to Jerry & Frank's Carpets. The pair had worked as flooring installers for Graebners, where floor products were a sideline. When they closed, it was the start of Jerry having his own store for nearly fifty years. While conducting business at a local bank, fortuitously, Jerry met Andrea Martinez, whom he married in 1970. They became business partners with Andrea instituting home decorating. The business changed its name to Jerry Carpets & Interiors and opened on the Corona Mall. Andrea was elected to the Corona City Council in 1992 and served two terms and one year as Mayor. Jerry has been an active member of the Corona Rotary Club, Navy League, the Corona Chamber of Commerce and has participated in numerous local charitable causes. After serving customers in six decades, Jerry retired in 2008. Jerry continues to live by his lifetime credo, "Never disrespect people and treat everyone the same." Good advice for everyone. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Corona Rotary Club in his name, please contact (951) 737-8860 ext. 210 or www.coronarotary.org to make donations. Visitation Thomas Miller Mortuary 1118 East Sixth Street Corona, CA 92879 (951) 737-3244 | Friday 7/13, 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm Service Thomas Miller Mortuary 1118 East Sixth Street Corona, CA 92879 (951) 737-3244 | Saturday 7/14, 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm