Gerald George "Jerry" Gotsch Apr. 26, 1931 - June 23, 2014 NOTRE DAME - Jerry was born on April 26, 1931, in Chicago, Illinois, to the late Clara (Molke) and George Gotsch. He married Joanne Matousek on August 21, 1954, at St. Matthias Church in Chicago, Illinois. Surviving to cherish his memory in addition to his wife of nearly 60 years are his two sons, Hon. Michael G. Gotsch, Sr. (Sarah) and Thomas J. Gotsch (Marilyn), nine grandchildren, and one great-grandson. A 1955 graduate of Loyola University (Chicago) in Accounting, he also earned a Master's Degree in Industrial Relations from Loyola in 1963. He served in the United States Army in an Air Defense Artillery battery from 195557. Upon leaving military service, he began a career in federal law enforcement. Jerry was an investigator on the U.S. Senate Select Committee on Improper Activities in Labor and Management ("Rackets Committee") serving under Chief Counsel Robert F. Kennedy. He later joined the U.S. Department of Labor as a criminal investigator and served as Chicago Area Director. He worked on the Organized Crime Strike Force in Chicago, and subsequently coordinated nationwide investigations targeting fraud and organized crime. He was personally recognized by Secretary of Labor with a Special Award for outstanding leadership in supervising the 1972 election of the United Mineworkers of America. He was promoted to Assistant Inspector General for Investigations at the U.S. Department of Labor, and later served in the same capacity with the Federal Emergency Management Agency. For many years, he was an active member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police. A loyal member of the Knights of Columbus, he also volunteered as a Little League coach and a Scoutmaster. He was very proud that both of his sons earned the rank of Eagle Scout, although he frequently mentioned that he had only made it to Second Class. He was the President of the Men of St. John's at St. John's College High School in Washington, D.C. from 1978-79. Since moving to South Bend in 2002, Jerry has been very involved with the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association (NARFE), the Serra Club, and the senior club at St. Th‚rŠse, Little Flower Parish. He loved old western movies, the National Parks, the Chicago Cubs, and the big Island of Hawaii. Late in life, he took up the ukulele and while he may never have been the best in the band there was no one more enthusiastic. But Jerry's number one priority was always his family he was a loving son, a loyal brother, and a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He especially enjoyed events involving his grandchildren and great-grandson. He was a "big fish" who will be greatly missed by those who knew him, but he lives on in the stories, jokes and humor that he shared with his family and friends. Somewhere a captive in a fortune cookie factory is sending for help. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, June 27, 2014, at 11:00 A.M., at St. Th‚rŠse, Little Flower Catholic Church with the Rev. Thomas Shoemaker presiding. Friends may call on Thursday, June 26, 2014, from 4:00 until 8:00 P.M., at Kaniewski Funeral Home, 3565 Bendix Drive, South Bend, Indiana, where a Rosary will be prayed at 7:00 P.M. Friends may also call from 10:00 o'clock until the time of the Mass. An interment service will be held at All Saints Cemetery, 700 N. River Road, Des Plaines, IL, on Saturday, June 27, 2014, at 11:00 A.M. At the request of Jerry and his family, memorial donations may be made in lieu of flowers to St. Th‚rŠse, Little Flower Parish, the LaSalle Council of the Boy Scouts of America, or the Serra Club of South Bend. To send condolences or share memories, please log on to www.kaniewski.com.
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Sorry for your loss. He was an awesome neighbor! Always there when we needed him. He is already missed....
Tina Hart (Hill)
June 30, 2014
So sorry, too soon! Mr. Gotsch was a substitue father for my sister Tina and me. He was a lawn mower and car expert too.
Debbie Hill
June 30, 2014
I know you are in heaven with God now,rest in peace.
susan stebbing
June 30, 2014
Sincere condolences are extended to the Gotsch family.
Marv & Terri Lopata
June 28, 2014
Dear Mrs. Gotsch, Mike and Tom: On behalf of the Milne and McDonough families, I would like to express our deepest sympathies to your family on the loss of your husband and father. He was a really nice person and a good neighbor.
Jane Milne
June 27, 2014
Jerry was a wonderful friend and Dick's & my visits to Kona with them were fabulous. His humor made everyone laugh. We will miss you Jerry. You are a real gem. Love, Nanci
June 27, 2014
sorry to hear of the passing of jerry gotsch.he will be missed.patty and I send our deepest sympathy to joanne and the rest of his family.charles e donegan msir Loyola university Chicago 1959
June 26, 2014
sory to hear thst passed.he will be missed.patty and I give our deepest sympathy to joanne and the rest of his family.charles e donegan msir Loyola university Chicago 1959
June 26, 2014
To Judge Gotsch and the Gotsch family we are sending our sincere thoughts and prayers to comfort you on the passing of your father. To Be absent from the is to be present with the Lord
Gammage Family
June 25, 2014
We have know Jerry for many years, going back to High School.Jerry and I went on many trips together. In our younger days we were always working on cars together.
We are going to miss him.
Raymond Lynn
June 25, 2014
I met Jerry and his wife on a bus trip to New Orleans back in June 2010. I have fond memories of that trip and getting to know Jerry. My condolences to his family.
Nanette Tschida
Comstock Park, MI
June 25, 2014
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Kaniewski Funeral Home - South Bend3545 N. Bendix Dr., South Bend, IN 46628
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