Jerome Joseph Galich

We are heartbroken to share that Jerome Joseph Galich passed away Thursday, May 26. He was the beloved husband to Lorna (Galich), fantastic father to the late Gigi Galich (Paul Magura) Gavin (Ann Kudlas), and Abby Brennan (Tom). He was the adoring and adored grandfather to Selena and Sam, Sophie and Addie, and Owen and Riordan. And he was the funny youngest brother, survived by Marie (Rolenc) and Andy. Jerry grew up on Chicago’s South Side, the son of Croatian immigrants Marc and Sima. He took to the trumpet at an early age, playing in a jazz band throughout his high school years at Harper High School.

His creative and artistic nature led him to the Art Institute of Chicago for his BFA, where he met the love of his life on the steps of the museum. Smooth operator that he was, he asked Lorna if he could take pictures of her for his photography class. One of those photos remains on his dresser to this day. Jerry and Lorna married in 1956 before Jerry was drafted into the Navy, where he toiled at traveling the Mediterranean, serving as the ship’s yearbook editor, playing in the ship’s band, setting up a canteen and meeting Hubert Humphrey. Back on land Jerry and Lorna settled in an apartment in Rogers Park and had their first child, Gay (Gigi). They moved to Wilmette before adding Gavin and Abby to the mix.

In 1968 The family of five moved to a quaint farmhouse in Evanston with one bathtub and bold paint schemes. Handier than he was ever given credit for, Jerry crafted bookshelves, rearranged stairs, and generally made the house suitable for the many parties and weddings he and Lorna hosted there.

Jerry spent his career as a graphic designer and was an early adopter of technology. He started in the art department of American Hospital Supply where he recruited his children to be photographic subjects for wheelchairs and hospital garb. At AHS, he met his late, life-long friend, French Eason, who introduced him to Unitarianism. When Jerry and Lorna joined the Unitarian Church, they knew they had found their tribe.

Jerry was an unabashed liberal, and while he wasn’t always active in politics, he was always active in the discussion of it. The cub scout troop he helped lead once marched with black armbands and a peace flag to protest the Vietnam war.

Those who had the pleasure of meeting Jerry will remember him as funny, curious, outgoing, and creative. We will honor these qualities and more at a memorial service in his honor on July 23, 11:00, at the Unitarian Church of Evanston. A reception will be held after the service, location tbd.

In lieu of flowers please consider donating to the Evanston Public Library or a charity of your choice in Jerry’s name.