Gerald "Jerry" Nissen

In keeping with Jerry's wishes there will be no viewing hours or funeral service. There will be a

semiprivate ceremony at the Townsend-Wood Funeral Chapel on Friday, January 22, 2016, at the

convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a memorial donation in Jerry’s

name to Soldiers & Sailors Cardiac Rehab, 418 N. Main St., Penn Yan, NY 14527.

Jerry was born on April 17, 1943 in Penn Yan, NY the son of Ruth (Truax) Nissen. He served in the US Air

Force as a member of the 7030th Air Police Squadron at Ramstein, Germany from 1961‐64. Jerry was

involved in many different organizations throughout the years: Every Annual Buckwheat Harvest

Festival, Penn Yan Jaycee, American Legion Past Commander & Life Member, Past Committee Chair &

Den Leader Cub Scouts Den 44, past President & Zone Chairman of the Penn Yan Lions Club, Founding

Director of the Finger Lakes Lions Hearing Foundation, Penn Yan Village trustee from 1984‐1992, Penn

Yan Mayor from 1994‐1998, spearheaded in Developing the Village Section of the Outlet Trail, Penn Yan

Municipal Utilities Board member since 2006 and Yates County Industrial Development Agency

chairman in 2005.

During school Jerry was an usher at the Elmwood and attendant at Cunningham's Sunoco on Lake Street.

After leaving the Air Force Jerry worked a wide range of employment from Driving Dry Cleaning for

Keuka Cleaners, door to door bread salesman for Home Pride Bread, (Wonder Bread). Bar Tender for 5

years at the old Wagner Hotel (Now Sheriff office and jail) and present location. Hired by Loblaws he

worked through the ranks until Loblaws District Manager Irwin MacElwee tapped him up to Non Food

Supervisor Ended up as last Loblaw Manager of the Penn Yan store when P&C took over. Spent a few

years stocking convenient stores with health and beauty aid, toys, etc for G & G Sales out of Buffalo.

Worked as Assistant Manager at the Tops in Geneva.

In 1983, Jim Wachob, Personnel Director for Coach & Equipment Manufacturing hired Jerry to take over

a purchasing vacancy. After three years he was tapped to assist the CEO in gathering information for

finance reports.

Jerry was predeceased by his wife, Linda and brothers Ron (Donna), Thomas, (Carol) and sister Gail

(David) Hillman. He is survived by his daughter, Amber and son Corey (Christina). Three grandchildren,

Steve Schmidl, Alyssa Lin Nissen and Shaun Schmidl. Sibling, Paul Jr. (Karen).