Gerald Wayne Beach

Jerry was born and raised in Akron, Ohio in the Firestone Park area. He graduated from Garfield High School in 1962. He was also a graduate of the University of Akron and a member of the Lambda Chi Fraternity.

In 1967, Jerry was drafted into the Army, Vietnam War, in the 1st Infantry Division. He was a Forward Observer for artillery. Jerry was honorably discharged in 1969, receiving the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, the Award of the Air Medal (First Oak Leaf Cluster), and the Army Commendation Medal.

Jerry worked for the Oak Rubber Company for over 22 years as the Human Resource Officer. He was HR for the plants in Ravenna, Columbus and Tennessee.

After retiring from the Oak Rubber Company in 2000, Jerry worked in the Adult Probation office under his dear friend, Bob Fankhauser. He later was the Bailiff for the Honorable Judge Don Martell, his fraternity brother and dear friend for over 40 years, until he again, retired in 2006. Jerry served on the Public Defenders Board of Directors and the PARTA Board of Directors.

Jerry enjoyed playing golf, bowling and playing cards at the Elks Club. He loved going to Las Vegas and vacations with great friends, Don & Ron Martell families and Bill & Bob Fankhauser families. They were wonderful times!

Jerry is survived by his loving wife, Julie Piccione Beach, who he married on August 6, 1998. He always told people she was a gift to him.

He is also survived by his brother-in-law, Dr. Jim Frounfelter, niece Molly and husband Dr. Jay Michalek , great-nephew Julian, great-niece Aurora, nephew James and his wife Suzanne, great-nephew Frederick, (Fritz); sister-in-law Lisa Piccione Long and her husband Jim, nephew Christopher and his wife Catie, great-niece CeCe, great-nephew, Cole; niece, Gina and her husband Aaron Fraker, great-nephew, Grayson, great-niece, Scarlett; nephew Tony Long and his wife Heather, great-nephew Landon, great-niece Peyton; brother-in-law, Dr. Stephen Piccione and his wife Penny, nephews Joseph and Nicholas and niece Anna.

Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, Wayne & Ethel (Grover) Buetsch, his sister Marge Bost and his sister-in-law, Patti Piccione Frounfelter.

A celebration of Life will be held at the Ravenna Elks Club on January 21, 2023, from 1:00PM – 4:00PM, 776 North Freedom St. Ravenna. Military Honors will begin at 12:30 PM, before the Celebration of Life.

Special thanks to Western Reserve Hospice, the Ravenna VA Outpatient Clinic, Dr. Banazic and Jen Mawby, Dr. Hugh O’Neill who was Jerry’s Primary Care doctor, and the Visiting Angels: Crystal Latimer and Missy Davis, as well as all of Jerry's caregivers, friends, and family for taking such good care of him.

In Lieu of flowers, please send donations to the City of Ravenna Fire/EMS department, 214 Park Way, Ravenna, OH 44266, or the Cleveland VA Medical Center – attn: Voluntary Service 135 – 10701 E. Blvd. Cleveland, OH 44106. (Please write in memo: 1002). Both organizations were very respectful, patient, and considerate to Jerry’s needs. Thank you.

Condolences and fond memories may be shared at www.wood-kortright-borkoski.com.