Jerry C. Howard

Jerry was born Charles Ernest Senerchia on Dec. 7, 1928 in Ravenna, Ohio to parents Charles Ernest Senerchia (aka Cherry Rufi) and Gulia B. Marazkewiecz. Three years later, he was baptized as Jerome Charles Senerchia at Immaculate Conception Church in Ravenna.

Following his parents divorce, his Mother’s marriage to Ollie Howard took them to Rochester, New Hampshire in 1935 and ultimately to Auburn, Maine in 1942.

During those formative years, Jerry gained a fascination with flight, using a breadboard to build model airplanes and compete in model airplane competitions. He was active in the Boy Scouts, proudly earning the rank of Eagle Scout. He obtained his pilot’s license while still in high school and shortly thereafter owned his own small plane. During his teenage years, summers were spent back in Ohio helping at his Father’s restaurant, Cherry’s Steakhouse.

After graduating from Edward Little High School in Auburn, Jerry attended University of Southern Maine, Portland Junior College graduating in 1949 with a Business Arts degree. Pursuing his love of flying, he enrolling at Parks Air College in St. Louis, Missouri, America’s first federally certified school of aviation.

His advanced education was completed at Lowell Institute at M.I.T., obtaining a degree in Electrical Engineering. Jerry went onto work in the engineering field the majority of his life, retiring from Arrow Electronics at the young age of 54.

In 1950, Jerry married Lois Haddad in Auburn. Two years later their son Mark was born. They enjoyed taking excursions in Jerry’s plane and did a formidable amount of flying throughout the New England area until their divorce. Jerry earned his commercial twin engine pilot license in 1973, followed by his flight instructors license two years later.

In 1978 Jerry married Joan Bauer, reconnecting thirty years after having been high school sweethearts. They resided in Milford, New Hampshire until 1986 when they moved to Stratham, NH where they continued to live after Jerry’s retirement from Arrow Electronics.

When Jerry stopped flying his own planes, he developed a keen interest in assembling remote controlled model helicopters, meeting with fellow enthusiasts around New England for flying events.

Jerry celebrated and valued community and friendships. In Stratham, he served several terms as both president and treasurer of the Winding Brook Condominium Association. He was known for being a neighbor who could be relied upon at a moment’s notice to lend a helping hand. For many years, Jerry was the Assistant Town Moderator and would help during elections. He served on the Board of Trustees for the Statham Community Church.

Jerry was an involved participant in the lives of his two stepdaughters and was a fun and lively grandfather to his five grandchildren. Jerry loved the Holidays and took every opportunity to provide joy for others during birthdays and special occasions.

After Joan’s death in 2013, Jerry moved to Streetsboro, Ohio to become a caregiver and companion for Velma Strimple. He embraced his new “farm life” while giving selflessly to enrich Velma’s life. Moving back to the area where he spent his early childhood offered him the joy of reconnecting with family, friends, and acquaintances who knew his family. In typical Jerry style, he delighted in all he met and made dozens of new friends.

Jerry served as a Precinct Election Official for the Portage County Board of Elections and treasured being a Liturgy Reader at the Immaculate Conception Church in Ravenna: Diocese of Youngstown.

Jerry will be remembered for the wonderful meals he cooked for family and friends. He loved to eat and to cook, always serving meals with robust enthusiasm. His recipes will live on, especially his amazing marinara sauce!

He leaves countless dear friends who cherished his presence in their lives. Jerry lived with enthusiasm and curiosity, never met a stranger and always had a smile on his face. With a tip of the hat to his Sagittarius astrological sign, he explained his willingness to try to new things by saying he loved to “shoot arrows into the sky and see where they land.” We thank God that Jerry’s arrows landed in our lives.

He is survived by his son Mark Howard and Mark’s Mother Lois Howard, both of Portland, Maine, his two half sisters: Eileen Howard Paine of Auburn and Charlotte Polizzi of Aurora, Ohio, his two stepdaughters; Cynthia Luce of Yarmouth, ME and Heidi Pelletier (Thomas) of Portland, ME; five grandchildren, Amy Gardner, Molly Gleason, Beth Kittredge, James Pelletier, Sam Pelletier and six great grandchildren.

Mass of Christian Burial, celebrated by Rev. William Kraynak, will be held at 11:00am on Saturday, July 28 at Immaculate Conception Church, 409 W. Main St, Ravenna, Ohio. Inurnment will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery.

Condolences and memories may be shared at www.Wood-Kortright-Borkoski.com