Gerald N. LeMere, 92, Green Bay resident, loving husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather, went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, July 24, 2019. He was born May 4, 1927, in Green Bay to the late Stephen and Mary (Tappa) Le Mere. Jerry attended Annunciation Grade School and graduated from Green Bay Catholic Central High School. He served in the U.S. Army and was honorably discharged. Jerry married the former Geraldine Walczyk on October 2, 1954, at St. Mary of the Angels Catholic Church. She preceded him in death on December 22, 2018. Jerry was employed in the HVAC industry all of his career, retiring from the Green Bay School Board in 1989.
The mention of Jerry’s name can’t help but make you smile. For starters, with his white beard and twinkly eyes, he looked like Santa Claus. That’s a role he relished, and every year for 60 years, he would don the red suit for family and the community, playing Santa as no one else could, with his wife Gerry by his side dressed as Mrs. Claus. After Santa retired, Jerry continued his generosity by giving children 50 cent pieces to put in their piggy banks.
Belly laughs came easily to Jerry, and he was known for jokes and one-liners, committing so many to memory that there were always some you were hearing for the first time. He was also known for his wonderful singing voice, whether it was as a member of the Green Bay Boys Choir, singing in church, or with family and friends in a spontaneous moment. He and Gerry also enjoyed socializing with friends and were often the first on the dance floor. They loved to dance and sing. No wonder “Jerry and Gerry” were the life of the party!
So many joyous moments were spent with Jerry and Gerry at their cottage on Chute Pond, him behind the wheel of the pontoon boat, or talking and singing around the campfire. His favorite part of the day was sitting on the deck as the sun set with a Manhattan in hand. Jerry’s kindness and gentle spirit leaves us with a lifetime of cherished memories. He was dearly loved and will be forever missed.
Jerry is survived by three children: Michael (Erin) LeMere; Jean (Rolf) Van Houten and Julie (Flip) Steadman; seven grandchildren and three great grandchildren; brother, Lloyd (Jo) LeMere; two sisters-in-law, Theresa Beerntsen and Bernadine Simon; three brothers-in-law: Daniel “Don” (Julanne) Walczyk; Leonard (Lucy) Walczyk and Bob (Rosie) Walczyk; many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by an infant son, Gerard Michael; five brothers and their spouses and two sisters and their spouses; one sister-in-law and three brothers-in-law.
Friends may call at the Proko-Wall Funeral Home, 1630 E. Mason St. from 4:00- 6:00 pm Sunday, July 28. Visitation will continue at Annunciation Catholic Church, 401 Gray St. after 9:00 am Monday until time of Mass. Funeral Mass Monday at 10:00 am at the church with Rev. David Schmidt officiating. Entombment in the Fort Howard Memorial Park. In lieu of floral expressions a memorial fund has been established.
Jerry’s family would like to extend their sincere gratitude to the the staff at Alpha Senior Concepts as well as the nurses and staff at Compassus Hospice for all the kind and loving care given to both Jerry and Gerry while they were in their care.