Jerome LeGrand

June17, 1936 – November 15, 2024

Jerome Robert LeGrand, lovingly known as "Jerry," passed away peacefully at the age of 88 on November 15, 2024, in Little River, SC

Jerry is survived by his devoted wife, Olga "Dolby" LeGrand, with whom he shared 13 joyful years. He leaves behind a legacy of love through his three sons: Mark (Lisa) LeGrand of Orlando, FL; John (Kathy) LeGrand of Coventry, CT; and Michael LeGrand (Terri Shafirov) of Goshen, CT/NYC. He was the cherished grandfather of Sam, Zachary, and Kyle LeGrand. Jerry was predeceased by his parents, Jerome Bernard and Ann LeGrand; his sister, Madeline Ledgerwood; his first wife of 43 years and mother of his children, Patricia (O'Toole) LeGrand.

Born on June 17, 1936, in Pittsburgh, PA, Jerry grew up on the city’s South Side and attended South Hills High School. Upon graduation, he enlisted in the Navy, serving honorably aboard three ships and spending part of his tour stationed in Port Lyautey, Morocco. Following his service, Jerry utilized the GI Bill to attend Duquesne University, where he graduated with a degree in Marketing and Advertising.

It was during his college years that Jerry met Patricia, his first wife, while working at Joseph Horne's Department Store. They married in 1961 and built a life together for over four decades, raising their family with love and devotion.

Jerry spent his career with Aetna Life and Casualty, dedicating 3 decades to the company. Initially based in Alexandria, VA, he later relocated to the home office in Hartford, CT, settling in Coventry, where he became a valued member of the community. Jerry’s contributions were many, including serving on the Coventry Town Council, being an active member of the Lions Club, and an integral member reestablishing the Coventry’s youth football program.

Family was the heart of Jerry’s life. While he achieved much in his professional career, his greatest joy came from the deep bond he shared with his sons and grandsons. Jerry’s adventurous spirit and varied hobbies often took him across the country and beyond.

Starting in the 1970s, he became an avid collector of beer cans, traveling nationwide to attend beer CANventions. He also made it a mission to visit and photograph all 50 state capitals, documenting each journey and the people he encountered along the way. Once that goal was accomplished, he turned his attention to lighthouses, traveling far and wide to photograph and catalog over 500 of them. Jerry also had a love for cruising, exploring countless destinations around the world. Jerry’s love of Pittsburgh sports was a common bond he shared with his sons, particularly the Steelers, where he attended Super Bowl victories. His enthusiasm for the Steelers was both heartfelt and infectious. For those who knew him, his favorite time of day was gathering for his 4:15 p.m. “Cheers!"

In retirement, Jerry lived in Kissimmee, FL, for 22 years, relishing his proximity to Disney World, another favorite place.

Jerry first met Dolby in high school in 1953 where they went on their first date. They reconnected many years later in 2007. They rekindled their relationship and married in 2011, where Jerry moved to Little River, SC. They found joy together attending the symphony and belonged to a theater group that showcased classic films each month, going on cruises, and taking road trips. They also attended classes at the local college and loved gardening and harvesting the fruits of their labor making homemade jams, jellies, and champagne mustards, which they would gift at Christmas. Dolby says he was “the man of her dreams and the love of her life”.

Jerry was a man of faith and a dedicated member of St. Mary’s Church in Coventry, CT, where he was a familiar presence as a lector. In his later years, he continued his spiritual journey as an active parishioner of Our Lady Star of the Sea in North Myrtle Beach, SC. Jerry’s warmth, humor, and zest for life left an indelible mark on all who knew him. His memory will live on in the hearts of his family and friends.

Services will be held to honor the life of this very special man on Jan 31 at the Lady Star of the Sea, 1100 8th Ave N, North Myrtle Beach SC 29582 at 11am and a Mass on Feb 8th at St Mary's Church,1600 Main Street Coventry CT 06238 at 10:30am.

May his adventurous spirit and kind heart forever inspire us and “Do A Good Day”

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Jerry's honor to the Our Lady Star of the Sea at 1100 8th Ave N, North Myrtle Beach, SC 29583