Gerald Rolnick
Boca Raton, FL.-Bangor
Gerald Rolnick, known affectionately to his family and friends as “Jerry the Jew”, died at the age of 83 on December 9th from a heart attack while playing golf. He was committed to his family and community, outspoken on a myriad of topics (especially politics!), fiercely proud of his Jewish heritage, and always willing to share a meal.
Jerry was born on November 10, 1939 to Betty and Louis Rolnick. Born and raised in Bangor, Maine, he graduated from Bangor High School in 1957. He served in the US Army from 1958 to 1960. After graduating with honors from Babson College in 1962, he moved to New York City where he met the love of his life, Suzanne Joseph of Bristol, Connecticut. The married couple moved to West Caldwell, NJ in 1965 where they started their family and became heavily involved with Congregation Agudath Israel. Jerry then purchased Goldie’s Truck Parts in Kearny, NJ (later renamed Goldie’s Kosher Truck Parts) and served on the executive boards of the NJ Motor Truck Association, The National Council of Fleet Specialists and ASIA Heavy Duty Truck Parts. His quick wit combined with his polished negotiating skills would propel the business until its sale nearly forty years later. Jerry and Sue raised their son Andrew and their daughter Jennifer in New Jersey but traveled nearly every year back to Maine to enjoy family BBQs and events.
After retiring in 2005, Jerry bought a boat, duly named it the Saint Sue, and moved with Suzanne to Boca West, Florida where he enjoyed many fishing adventures along the coast with friends and family. In Boca West, he continued his love of community involvement by serving as president of his local homeowner’s association, raving about the “all-you-can-eat” buffet, and playing golf nearly every single day.
Many summers and family vacations were spent with his children and grandchildren in the Berkshires, in Israel, and around the pool as he debated current events while enjoying a cigar and a glass of Moxie or fine red wine.
Jerry is survived by his wife of 58 years, Suzanne; his son and daughter-in-law Andrew and Talya Rolnick, and grandson Yosef Rolnick; his son-in-law, Adam Rosenthal, and grandchildren Russell and Rebecca Rosenthal. His brother Michael Rolnick (Wife: Louise Rolnick) , his sister Barbara Podolsky (husband: Sandy Podolsky), and 11 nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his beloved daughter, Jennifer Rolnick Rosenthal.
Funeral services will be held at 1:30 pm on Wednesday, December 14, 2022 at the Jewish Funeral Chapel 118 Center St., Bangor. The service will be livestreamed at https://my.gather.app/remember/gerald-rolnick.
The family will be sitting shiva at the Podolsky home, 52 Fountain Street, Bangor from Wednesday after the service until the following Tuesday. A memorial service is being planned for January in Boca West, with the details to be announced at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in memory of Jerry at https://medicine.givenow.columbia.edu/?alloc=16367#, or to the charity of your choice.
Condolences to the family may be expressed at BrookingsSmith.com.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Gerald Rolnick, please visit our flower store.
Boca Raton, FL.-Bangor
Gerald Rolnick, known affectionately to his family and friends as “Jerry the Jew”, died at the age of 83 on December 9th from a heart attack while playing golf. He was committed to his family and community, outspoken on a myriad of topics (especially politics!), fiercely proud of his Jewish heritage, and always willing to share a meal.
Jerry was born on November 10, 1939 to Betty and Louis Rolnick. Born and raised in Bangor, Maine, he graduated from Bangor High School in 1957. He served in the US Army from 1958 to 1960. After graduating with honors from Babson College in 1962, he moved to New York City where he met the love of his life, Suzanne Joseph of Bristol, Connecticut. The married couple moved to West Caldwell, NJ in 1965 where they started their family and became heavily involved with Congregation Agudath Israel. Jerry then purchased Goldie’s Truck Parts in Kearny, NJ (later renamed Goldie’s Kosher Truck Parts) and served on the executive boards of the NJ Motor Truck Association, The National Council of Fleet Specialists and ASIA Heavy Duty Truck Parts. His quick wit combined with his polished negotiating skills would propel the business until its sale nearly forty years later. Jerry and Sue raised their son Andrew and their daughter Jennifer in New Jersey but traveled nearly every year back to Maine to enjoy family BBQs and events.
After retiring in 2005, Jerry bought a boat, duly named it the Saint Sue, and moved with Suzanne to Boca West, Florida where he enjoyed many fishing adventures along the coast with friends and family. In Boca West, he continued his love of community involvement by serving as president of his local homeowner’s association, raving about the “all-you-can-eat” buffet, and playing golf nearly every single day.
Many summers and family vacations were spent with his children and grandchildren in the Berkshires, in Israel, and around the pool as he debated current events while enjoying a cigar and a glass of Moxie or fine red wine.
Jerry is survived by his wife of 58 years, Suzanne; his son and daughter-in-law Andrew and Talya Rolnick, and grandson Yosef Rolnick; his son-in-law, Adam Rosenthal, and grandchildren Russell and Rebecca Rosenthal. His brother Michael Rolnick (Wife: Louise Rolnick) , his sister Barbara Podolsky (husband: Sandy Podolsky), and 11 nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his beloved daughter, Jennifer Rolnick Rosenthal.
Funeral services will be held at 1:30 pm on Wednesday, December 14, 2022 at the Jewish Funeral Chapel 118 Center St., Bangor. The service will be livestreamed at https://my.gather.app/remember/gerald-rolnick.
The family will be sitting shiva at the Podolsky home, 52 Fountain Street, Bangor from Wednesday after the service until the following Tuesday. A memorial service is being planned for January in Boca West, with the details to be announced at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in memory of Jerry at https://medicine.givenow.columbia.edu/?alloc=16367#, or to the charity of your choice.
Condolences to the family may be expressed at BrookingsSmith.com.
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