Jerry Messerman

Jerry was born June 1934 in the Hunts Point neighborhood of the Bronx, New York, to Russian/Ukrainian immigrant parents. Their wish for Jerome, as they preferred to call him, was to make sure their third child would have the best of opportunities. His mother was the planner, his father the implementer, the oldest son, Hyman, the coach. They filled his life with academics, religious studies, sports ad most importantly, music. At the age of seven his mother insisted he practice accordion for two hours every day. She arranged lessons from one of the leading music studios in New York City, and was the reason he attended New York's prestigious Music & Art High School. He began his professional music career at age 15, becoming one of the more sought after accordionists in New York City.

At age 19 Jerry saw Audrey Gamberg on the dance floor at Schenk's Paramount Hotel in the Catskills, where he vacationed every summer with his family. After a three-year romance they were married in 1956.

Jerry graduated from Long Island University with a bachelor's degree in accounting. In 1957 Jerry joined the U.S. Army, serving in Headquarters Company of The 2nd United States Army Missile Command, posted at Fort Hood, Texas. Audrey joined Jerry in Texas where they welcomed their first child, Debra, born in 1958.

After discharge, Jerry and Audrey moved back to New York City where Jerry worked for Audrey's father in the family metal cabinet fabrication business. In 1963 they welcomed their second child, Bruce. The family moved to Tampa, Florida in 1969 to start up a second operation. Jerry started his own business in 1981 manufacturing office furniture to serve the emerging digital-age. Design Options would become an industry leader.

Audrey, a partner in life as well as business, died in February 1998 after 42 years of devoted marriage. Audrey and Jerry did everything together - raising two wonderful children, enjoying six grandchildren, traveling the world, and yachting on the boat they both loved and enjoyed, the "Mess N' Around."

After Audrey's death Jerry was fortunate to have found Lou Ann Burkhim Levy. They were married in 2000. From their first date, they knew they were right for each other. Lou Ann best put it into words: "We are age appropriate!" Those words turned into the many years of love, growing closer together as the years went by.

Jerry retired in 2007 and returned to the music he loved so much, volunteering to play piano at senior living facilities and at the Moffitt Cancer Center.

Jerry was predeceased in death by his parents, Max and Bertha Messerman, his sister Miriam, his brother Hyman and his wife Sylvia, his niece Miriam Ephraim, and wife Audrey.

Jerry is survived by his wife Lou Ann, daughter Debra Thro (Dennis), son Bruce Messerman (Trish), grandchildren Jacob Thro, Megan Thro Dimit (Dustin), Sydney Thro Tucker (Andrew), Ashley Messerman, Austin Messerman, Stuart Messerman, great-granddaughter Penelope Thro Tucker, greatest niece Lish Ephraim and her father Warren Ephraim, step-daughters Barbara Levy (Marc Engelking) and Cacky Enman (Marc), and step-grandchildren Matthew Enman (Riley), and George Enman.

Contributions in Jerry's memory may be made to the Audrey & Jerry Messerman Scholarship Fund for the Amy Gail Buchman Preschool.