Jerry John Linssens passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Saturday, May 5, 2018. Jerry’s parents, Andrew and Jo, were immigrants from Belgium and Holland and met when they were teenagers living in Chicago. He loved sharing stories of his youth with his family. The family would gather at his grandparents’ home in Fox Lake, IL with his aunts, uncles and cousins and they would enjoy great times out doors. Jerry loved to fish with his brother John and cousins, Ron, Dorothy and Rosemary, but said he always caught the biggest fish. Jerry attended Loyola Academy in Chicago and excelled in all sports even though Football was his favorite and he was given the nickname Moose. His father Andrew was a Golding glove Boxer and taught this to Jerry; he in turn taught this to his brother John by accidentally knocking John out. After graduation he enlisted in the Navy where he traveled the world on the USS-AO-52 Cacapon. After he was discharged, Jerry went into banking where he studied the stock market and real estate and bought and sold apartment buildings. After meeting his wife of 23 years Mary Chris and having three of his four children, Dawn, Molly Jo, Sean (his favorite son) the family moved to Port Orange, FL. And their 4th child Tinka was born. Jerry bought a small mobile home park in Port Orange and worked tirelessly to expand and build up the business. His had a passion for animals and was surrounded with ducks, chickens, rabbits, pheasants, peacocks and pigeons. It was a real petting zoo. It earned him the nickname “Peacock Man”. He also devoted his time to F.O.P.A. and was a Life member of the VFW. In 2018 Jerry received an award from the Volusia County Police Department for 40 years of support to the Sheriffs Youth Ranch. After selling Elmwood Mobile Home Park with 100 units Jerry retired and bought property in Ocala FL. Jerry always took time out to go places, fishing and having fun. Sometimes he would go overboard with the fireworks but that just gives us more good memories and stories to tell. He enjoyed spending time with his family his children and grandchildren. . Left to cherish his memory are his children; Dawn Linssens, MollyJo (Norm) Linssens, Sean (Shelia) Linssens and Tinka (Nicole) Linssens; grandchildren; Jesse Craig (Cayla), Devon Linssens, Autumn Linssens, Summer Linssens, Tiffany Linssens and Journey Love Linssens; brother, John (Melinda) Linssens and caregiver Jennifer Poydock Herrin. Jerry loved his fishing pond, flowers and talking to people. He would give you the shirt off his back. He will be in our hearts forever. Memorial Service with Military Honors will be held 1:00 p.m., Friday, May 25, 2018 at Volusia Memorial Funeral Home 548 N Nova Road Ormond Beach. Condolences may be shared with the family at www.volusiamemorialfunerals.com.
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