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Gerald (Jerry) Patrick Kiernan, beloved by his family, friends, and coworkers passed away in Florida, following his battle with leukemia on February 7th, 2016. He was 70 years old. Jerry was born November5, 1945 in Hartford, CT to Mary O'Rourke Kiernan and John Patrick Kiernan. In addition to his parents, his death was preceded by his grandparents Charles and Mary O'Rourke who helped raise him after the early passing of his father and were affectionately referred to as Ma and Pa. In 1968 Jerry married Ursula Denisiewicz, and had sons John, Patrick, Michael, and Kevin, and lived in Glastonbury, CT. He was also predeceased by two young sons, John and Kevin as well as by his brother, James J. Kiernan. For the past 14 years, Jerry has lived in Ponce Inlet, Florida.
Jerry attended ST. Joseph's Cathedral and graduated from Hartford Public High school in 1963, and graduated from the University of Connecticut in 1967. He was drafted into the military and following his graduation from UCONN, he served as a First Lieutenant in the US Army as a foreign observer in Korea. Following his return from Korea, Jerry worked for the Hartford Insurance Company for 28 years where he rose to the position of National Vice President of Sales. He retired from the Hartford in 1997, and worked briefly as a consultant to RE Molton in Marblehead, MA, prior to starting his own company Arbor Benefit Group in 2000. Jerry was cofounder and President of Arbor Benefit Group.
Jerry was a kind-hearted, outgoing, gregarious man known to generate laughter through his story telling. Being an avid tennis and basketball player himself, he encouraged his sons, with spirit and love, and coached them in all sports from T-ball to basketball to football. To his family, he was a role model, a source of comfort and security, and one who was always willing to provide assistance to those in need. He was a history buff, proud Republican, as well as an avid fan of UCONN Basketball and Notre Dame Football. He will always be remembered lovingly by his family for his words of wisdom and life's lessons. In his later years he enjoyed having a cocktail with his friends on the beach at the North Turn in Ponce Inlet, Florida. Most of all his face would light up in the presence of his three grandchildren whom he adored.
Jerry is survived by his two sons Patrick and his wife Erin and son Jamison, Michael and his wife Chelsea and children Devin and Kaitlin. He is also survived by Ursula D, Kiernan, as well as his sister Sheila M. Gatti and nephew James Montano. He leaves behind his many cousins and friends, as well as his Arbor family including partners Janice Theriault and Karen Harrison. A memorial service for family and friends will be held for Jerry at St. Paul's Parish in Glastonbury, CT on Friday Feb 12, 2016 at 10:00AM. Following the service, a celebration of life will be held at the Irish American Home in Glastonbury, CT . In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Tufts Medical Center, 800 Washington Street, Box 231, Boston, MA 02111, in support of either Hematology or Infectious Disease. Burial will be private and at the convenience of the family.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
February 19, 2016
Laura Williams
Patrick and Erin,
I'm so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
February 15, 2016
Jack C. Grimm
God speed Jerry!
We were friends and at times business associates for over 40 years. I still miss our intellectual conversations at various places especially The Diamond in Glastonbury, Conn.
Condolences to Janice and the Kiernan family.
February 14, 2016
Bill and Joyce Knarr
Janice - SO sorry for your loss of Jerry - both your personal loss and Arbor's loss. You are lucky that you had these last months together and I know that your memories of this time, and your years together, will help to pull you through these early days of grief. You have our sincere condolences.
February 13, 2016
Susan Bennington
Ursula, Pat and Mike, We are so sorry to learn of Jerry's passing; although we have been out of touch for several years we reminisce often about the fun, fun times we all had while the kids were growing up; from football games to ski slopes to long weekends in the islands. Over 30 years of friendship with you both,I could go on and on. What a great family and what a great guy Jerry was; the memories will be in our hearts forever, we will continue when we all meet again.
February 12, 2016
Pamela Gasser
Here's to you, Jerry!
February 12, 2016
Pamela Gasser
Jerry, Jerry, Jerry how I will miss your warm smile and cheerful greeting upon entering your presence. I was lucky to be a friend of yours and experience your "big teddy bear-like" personality. Kind and loyal define you! I will miss your laughs at our dinners and on trips, but it is good to know you are only a thought away.
February 12, 2016
Terrence Dunn
Jerry and Janice have always been so very kind, thoughtful to us and fun with us. We are so very sad. When we visited with Jerry and Janice in Boston last September, they inspired us to anew to remember how much love we have for each other. Thank you, guys. You were there for us when we were married, and you crashed our wedding; you were there for us when Chelle lost her dad. We are here for you now, Janice. A beautiful, bright new star is shining down on us from the Heavens tonight. It is Jerry, rooting his beloved UConn on. He is in peace; he has no pain, and no worries. He is with the Lord, Home. And he has taken his love for you, Janice, to Him.
February 12, 2016
Terrence Dunn
Jerry and Janice have always been kind and thoughtful friends to us. We are so very sad by Jerry's passing into the hands of the Lord, and yet, we are joyous that he has gone home to Jesus. When we saw Jerry and Janice in Boston in September, their love inspired us anew to live our lives in constant remembrance of how much we love each other. You two were there for us at our wedding; you were there for us when Chelle lost her dad. We are here for you now, Janice. A beautiful, bright new star has appeared in the Heavens. Jerry is looking down at us now, in peace, and with no pain. May God bless you, Jerry Kiernan, and may you find solace and peace, Janice, in the knowledge that he is in a better place, having taken his love for you to Him.
February 11, 2016
Peter Susca
Jerry was a great guy and I am truly sorry to
hear of his passing.
February 11, 2016
Jeff Gasser
Godspeed Jerry. What a great spirit and fun guy you were. I am so glad to have been given 11 years of friendship with you. You said if the Patriots weren't in the Super Bowl, you could care less, and to prove the point, you passed 10 hours before kickoff. Talk about going out on your terms. That is so Jerry. I'm really going to miss you.
February 10, 2016
christina bator
February 10, 2016
My deepest sympathies to the Arbor Benefit Group, L.P. family. May you find comfort in your fond memories of Jerry during this difficult time.
Heartfelt condolences,
Jessica M. Quinn
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