Jerald Finkel's Obituary
Jerald Finkel, 86, of Boynton Beach, FL, formerly of Acton, MA and Brooklyn, NY, passed away Saturday, June 13, 2020. He was the beloved husband of 57 years to Carol Finkel; the loving father of two daughters, Debbi Leuteritz and her husband Chris, and Karen James and her husband Brian; he was the cherished Grandfather of five grandchildren, Alex, Glenn, Robyn, Marissa, and Ryan; and he was the devoted brother of Sheila Wagner and her husband Arthur.
Nothing was more important to Jerry than family. Jerry was blessed to have a devoted, loving wife for 57 years, to have two wonderful daughters and sons-in-laws who then added to the blessings with five exceptional grandchildren. Jerry graduated from Bucknell University and Brooklyn Polytechnic with electrical engineering degrees. He worked for both Sperry Corporation in NY and Raytheon Company in MA. as an engineering manager before retiring early and moving to FL. He met the love of his life, Carol, on a blind date in 1962. Everything that made him happy was related to her. Together they travelled the world and enjoyed their many friends and extended family. Jerry had numerous hobbies including travelling, reading, gardening, fixing things, birding, photography, card playing, especially bridge, tennis, and golf. He didn’t see all of the planet, but a good part of it.
Jerry had a long history of volunteerism. He volunteered at Emerson Hospital in Concord, MA and was on the Board of Directors at the Synagogue in Acton MA. In Florida he volunteered at JFK Hospital, and he held many positions on the Sterling HOA Board of Directors over a period of more than 20 years. He loved the outdoors and volunteered at both Loxahatchee Wetlands and Green Cay Wetlands in FL where he was able to show his love of nature and animals to all. He ran the photo contest at Green Cay for 7 years and was quite a photographer himself. He was so giving, and he never turned down a request from a friend or neighbor to lend a hand.
Jerry will be greatly missed. A private service will be held at Beth Israel Memorial Chapel in Boynton Beach, FL on Tuesday at 3:00 pm for immediate family. The service will be streamed live for those that are unable to attend. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to a charity of choice. The family will be sitting shiva at home, outside, for social distancing, on both Wednesday and Thursday from 2:00-4:00 pm.
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