Jerome Schwartz

Jerome is survived by son Robert (Christie Botelho) Schwartz; and daughter Jodi (Guy) Weisenbach.

Jerome was predeceased by his wife Gloria, his mother Gertrude, and two sisters Irene and Marcia.

“Semper fortis” is the unofficial US Navy motto. It means “Always courageous.” Jerry was a proud Navy man serving at the end of the Korean War as a radioman. Courageous is a term that well describes Jerry. He joined the Navy, moved from the Bronx to Queens to Matawan to Jackson. Along the way he made friends, married Gloria, raised Robbie and Jodi, and owned his own business. He moved the business from Brooklyn to Keyport and rebuilt his business in Aberdeen, after a fire destroyed it. Courage.

Morse Code was the language of the radioman in those days. When Jerry was not able to find his voice in his last days on Earth, he started using Morse Code to communicate with us. Unfortunately, none of us know Morse Code but “there’s an app for that” and we loaded our iPhones so he could tap out a few messages. Always the Navy man! Those last messages were so important for all of us to say goodbye.

Beyond being a Navy man, people would describe Jerry as a bowler, a Yankees fan, a fisherman, and a friend. Never was he happier, than watching his son finally win a softball championship, see his movie’s get into Film Festivals, walking his daughter down the aisle and fishing (not always catching) with his family on his July 4th birthday.

We would also add that he was a world traveler. He saw the sights of Amsterdam, Germany, Sweden, Denmark, The Azores, Barcelona, Lisbon, New Orleans, and Iceland. While in Iceland he was able to witness the sheer beauty and majesty of the Northern Lights. He shared these trips with Robbie, Jodi, Christie, Matt, Donna, Guy, Carol, and Anna -- his extended family whom he loved.

New Orleans was a favorite. Jerry loved jazz, Zydeco, and Jimmy Buffet. You can’t go anywhere in NOLA without encountering this music. On one trip, the group ended up at the Krazy Korner on the infamous Bourbon Street. Zydeco music was playing. Jerry got up on stage to join the band. His instrument? The Spoons on the Washboard! As Jerry left this earth, he was accompanied by the sounds of the music he loved so much.

“Eat, drink, and see Jerry” adorned Jerry’s van and was visible to all as he delivered customer’s clothing as part of Jerry’s Valet Service. Jerry was a legend in the Matawan, NJ area where his dry cleaning business thrived. Customers didn’t just drop off their clothes to be cleaned, they also stopped to chat with Jerry about life, baseball, football, or any topic. Customers also entrusted Jerry with the keys to their homes so he could deliver their clothing. His customers were loyal and that loyalty grew as their children grew up and became Jerry’s customers. He was like a Grandfather to the youngest of these customers, just as he was at his local Jackson dog park, where he brought his furry companion, Piper everyday possible.

This is the man Jerry became. Trusted, respected, a father, a friend. He will be deeply missed.

The family will sit Shiva at the home of Jodi & Guy Weisenbach at 43 McCormick Ave N, Old Bridge, NJ on Wednesday, May 19 between the hours of 4:00pm to 8:00pm. Then again on Thursday, May 20, between the hours of 12:00pm - 5:00pm at Jerry’s home at 4 Pebble Beach Blvd, Jackson, NJ.

Should you want to make a donation in Jerry's name the family asks that you consider the Fisher House Foundation at https://donate.fisherhouse.org/.