I met Gerry on the first day of Kindergarten – he made sure of it by waking me up to his presence by hitting me over the head with his lunch pail (ouch!) on the walk home from the bus stop (he only lived 6 houses down the street from us). Right after that incident, our mothers got together and organized a carpool to school. We carpooled to school together just about every day from that day on – from Kindergarten through High School. In 6th grade at Northridge Elementary, he had the role of “Jester” in a class play which was quite fitting as he performed that role well all his life. We hung out together a lot as kids and his sardonic wit and exceptionally brilliant sense of humor could always be counted on to keep me rolling in laughter no matter what mood I was in.
In high school, we’d go to church and concerts together (for some reason I recall the Supremes at the Hollywood Bowl the most). He played the piano like a master – I couldn’t believe how easy it was for him to ace the most difficult Chopin pieces as well as any rock song you’d ask for. And, he’d play by ear without having to read any music. I remember him singing in the choir at Chatsworth High. Later, he was involved in theater and acting, although he had his own business franchise to pay the bills (“The Merry Maids”). I was one of the first he officially “came out” to, although I’d already known for years, and we went through the many emotional upheavals and consequences he encountered related to that decision together. He was the Best Man in my wedding and after we moved to No. Ca. he would visit us frequently and vice versa. Then, he became severely ill with HIV and later was one of the first of many to die, at age 33, of AIDS.
In my opinion, Gerry was one of the funniest and nicest persons ever to grace this earth. I miss him dearly to this day and yet, quite often I have the comforting sense that he’s still with me and hanging around trying his best to keep me sane and laughing (especially whenever I need to be hit over the head with it).
Jerry was a dear friend of mine, too, and my sister, Sandy. We did a lot of fun things together, and the music and dancing and foolin' around times were the best.
Gerry and I would practice dances during the week so that we'd be up to it for the Friday Sports Nights and Sock-Hops. The idea was that we'd go together, but hope for a new person to go home with ...
I helped teach him to drive when he had his permit at 15 1/2 and I was just 18. Those were some prett interesting trips (see Elaine's stories).
I always appreciated when he'd play Polonaise (sp?) on the piano at home. It seemed magical for someone so young to be so adept.
On Monday at school, we'd do harmony with each other (to the dismay of those around us) when we sung "Monday, Monday" every week. Also, if I'm remembering right, we sang ... "If you want to be happy for the rest of your life, better make an ugly woman your wife ... go for my personal point of view, get an ugly girl to marry you."
We also went to Northridge Methodist Church together, and were close in the MYF (youth group). There were lots of dances, swim parties, trips and activities; and Ger was always there.
On thing haunted him. Being adopted, he knew that he had originally had a twin brother, and when we'd walk about town, he'd always keep his eye out. "Hey Sandy, does that guy look like me?" ... He was hopeful to eventually find his birth brother, but he never did.
We remained friends as adults, and I have some nice photos to share (somewhere ... if I can find them again!!!). For now, it's just these memories.
For years I have been trying to contact Jerry, and just this evening it occurred to me to google Class of 1968 Chatsworth High School, and sadly learned of his death. Way back in 1983. I had to send an email to a website to sign up to be able to be a part of this class as I did not graduate with you all.
And bless Elaine Rock's heart - she responded within an hour of my email to allow me to read about Jerry and write my memories. Thank you Elaine.
Jerry was my closest friend the year I was at Chatsworth. I really don't know why he was my friend, and I can't remember when we became friends. He must have been in one of my classes. I just remember he was always there when I was at Chatsworth. Having gone to 13 schools by the time I graduated, having close friends was not the norm for me. He loved me as a friend unconditionally, I felt cared about and respected, and like I did matter. That was also rare for me. I literally had my horse, Jerry, Lindsay Moran who was also my friend, and Marty Sewall who was my badminton partner - a year older and I had a huge crush on him. Jerry helped me through all my trials and tribulations related to that first crush of mine! Always encouraging and supportive.
I remember just hanging out with him and my horse at my place, or going over to his home - I remember having a comfortable warm time at his place and I remember his mother fondly.
Jerry wanted to get to know a girl in one of my classes that I knew (I can't remember her name), and decided he was going to ask her out only if I would agree to go out with his friend (whose name I can't remember either), and we would double date. Well, that turned out to be my very very first date, and the four of us went to Disneyland . . . and it was a magical night.
I went into foster homes in MN after that year, and we kept in touch (ahh the art of letter-writing), and in the middle '70's i came back to Van Nuys to visit my mom, and let Jerry know I was coming. The first day I was there, he came right over in his convertible - now I hadn't seen him for about 10 years - and when he drove up I just gasped and said to him OMG you're gorgeous! And I thought oh boy . . . and jumped in his convertible and away we went . . . and he looked at me smiling - rather mischievously . . . and said "Linda, I told you I am gay right?" And I looked at him and yelled NOOOOOOO . . . drats!! what a guy - we had a wonderful time while i was there - a great great friend.
Over the years after that I regret to say we eventually lost touch. Jerry played a huge role in my life that year that has lasted me my entire life. It's like when someone deposits a miracle in your soul that is always with you. He is always with me. I was going through a very rough time in my life and Jerry's kindness and respect will never be forgotten. He surely taught me that kindness and respect to all is so important as we just don't know what people are going through. I am mourning right now as I just learned of his passing. I feel so blessed that I was able to connect with Elaine, and the coincidence that she was a close friend of his as well as the administrator of this website. Thank you again Elaine. And continue to RIP Jerry ~ I believe all good souls get to unite again someday, so see ya. love, linda
Elaine Rock
I met Gerry on the first day of Kindergarten – he made sure of it by waking me up to his presence by hitting me over the head with his lunch pail (ouch!) on the walk home from the bus stop (he only lived 6 houses down the street from us). Right after that incident, our mothers got together and organized a carpool to school. We carpooled to school together just about every day from that day on – from Kindergarten through High School. In 6th grade at Northridge Elementary, he had the role of “Jester” in a class play which was quite fitting as he performed that role well all his life. We hung out together a lot as kids and his sardonic wit and exceptionally brilliant sense of humor could always be counted on to keep me rolling in laughter no matter what mood I was in.In high school, we’d go to church and concerts together (for some reason I recall the Supremes at the Hollywood Bowl the most). He played the piano like a master – I couldn’t believe how easy it was for him to ace the most difficult Chopin pieces as well as any rock song you’d ask for. And, he’d play by ear without having to read any music. I remember him singing in the choir at Chatsworth High. Later, he was involved in theater and acting, although he had his own business franchise to pay the bills (“The Merry Maids”). I was one of the first he officially “came out” to, although I’d already known for years, and we went through the many emotional upheavals and consequences he encountered related to that decision together. He was the Best Man in my wedding and after we moved to No. Ca. he would visit us frequently and vice versa. Then, he became severely ill with HIV and later was one of the first of many to die, at age 33, of AIDS.
In my opinion, Gerry was one of the funniest and nicest persons ever to grace this earth. I miss him dearly to this day and yet, quite often I have the comforting sense that he’s still with me and hanging around trying his best to keep me sane and laughing (especially whenever I need to be hit over the head with it).
Laura Sederberg
Jerry was a dear friend of mine, too, and my sister, Sandy. We did a lot of fun things together, and the music and dancing and foolin' around times were the best.Sandra Sederberg (Laura's Sister) (Ginsberg)
Gerry and I would practice dances during the week so that we'd be up to it for the Friday Sports Nights and Sock-Hops. The idea was that we'd go together, but hope for a new person to go home with ...
I helped teach him to drive when he had his permit at 15 1/2 and I was just 18. Those were some prett interesting trips (see Elaine's stories).
I always appreciated when he'd play Polonaise (sp?) on the piano at home. It seemed magical for someone so young to be so adept.
On Monday at school, we'd do harmony with each other (to the dismay of those around us) when we sung "Monday, Monday" every week. Also, if I'm remembering right, we sang ... "If you want to be happy for the rest of your life, better make an ugly woman your wife ... go for my personal point of view, get an ugly girl to marry you."
We also went to Northridge Methodist Church together, and were close in the MYF (youth group). There were lots of dances, swim parties, trips and activities; and Ger was always there.
On thing haunted him. Being adopted, he knew that he had originally had a twin brother, and when we'd walk about town, he'd always keep his eye out. "Hey Sandy, does that guy look like me?" ... He was hopeful to eventually find his birth brother, but he never did.
We remained friends as adults, and I have some nice photos to share (somewhere ... if I can find them again!!!). For now, it's just these memories.
Linda Kalland (Schwartzwalter)
For years I have been trying to contact Jerry, and just this evening it occurred to me to google Class of 1968 Chatsworth High School, and sadly learned of his death. Way back in 1983. I had to send an email to a website to sign up to be able to be a part of this class as I did not graduate with you all.
And bless Elaine Rock's heart - she responded within an hour of my email to allow me to read about Jerry and write my memories. Thank you Elaine.
Jerry was my closest friend the year I was at Chatsworth. I really don't know why he was my friend, and I can't remember when we became friends. He must have been in one of my classes. I just remember he was always there when I was at Chatsworth. Having gone to 13 schools by the time I graduated, having close friends was not the norm for me. He loved me as a friend unconditionally, I felt cared about and respected, and like I did matter. That was also rare for me. I literally had my horse, Jerry, Lindsay Moran who was also my friend, and Marty Sewall who was my badminton partner - a year older and I had a huge crush on him. Jerry helped me through all my trials and tribulations related to that first crush of mine! Always encouraging and supportive.
I remember just hanging out with him and my horse at my place, or going over to his home - I remember having a comfortable warm time at his place and I remember his mother fondly.
Jerry wanted to get to know a girl in one of my classes that I knew (I can't remember her name), and decided he was going to ask her out only if I would agree to go out with his friend (whose name I can't remember either), and we would double date. Well, that turned out to be my very very first date, and the four of us went to Disneyland . . . and it was a magical night.
I went into foster homes in MN after that year, and we kept in touch (ahh the art of letter-writing), and in the middle '70's i came back to Van Nuys to visit my mom, and let Jerry know I was coming. The first day I was there, he came right over in his convertible - now I hadn't seen him for about 10 years - and when he drove up I just gasped and said to him OMG you're gorgeous! And I thought oh boy . . . and jumped in his convertible and away we went . . . and he looked at me smiling - rather mischievously . . . and said "Linda, I told you I am gay right?" And I looked at him and yelled NOOOOOOO . . . drats!! what a guy - we had a wonderful time while i was there - a great great friend.
Over the years after that I regret to say we eventually lost touch. Jerry played a huge role in my life that year that has lasted me my entire life. It's like when someone deposits a miracle in your soul that is always with you. He is always with me. I was going through a very rough time in my life and Jerry's kindness and respect will never be forgotten. He surely taught me that kindness and respect to all is so important as we just don't know what people are going through. I am mourning right now as I just learned of his passing. I feel so blessed that I was able to connect with Elaine, and the coincidence that she was a close friend of his as well as the administrator of this website. Thank you again Elaine. And continue to RIP Jerry ~ I believe all good souls get to unite again someday, so see ya. love, linda