Jerome Wolens

1920 - 2010

Jerome Wolens, 90, of Boca Raton, Fla., passed away peacefully Monday, Aug. 2, 2010. Memorials: In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Sylvia Wolens DayTimers, in care of Fort Worth Jewish Federation, 4049 Kingsridge Road, Fort Worth, Texas 76109. Jerry was born to Al and Rose Wolens in Chicago, Ill., on May 5, 1920. After graduating from Northwestern University, he served as an officer in the U.S. Navy during World War II. After the war, Jerry moved to Texas, where he married Sylvia Rosenthal, and they raised their family in Fort Worth. He was vice president of Standard Meat Co. and for 21 years was also an adjunct professor at Texas Christian University. Actively involved in many philanthropic, religious and cultural organizations, Jerry was president of the Fort Worth Jewish Community Center, Fort Worth Jewish Federation and Texas B'nai B'rith. He was honored as both the Fort Worth Jewish Man of the Year and Texas State B'nai B'rith Man of the Year. Jerry and Sylvia retired 25 years ago to Boca Raton, where he continued his community leadership. He served on the boards of Florida Atlantic University Life Long Learning, South Palm Beach County Jewish Federation and the Donna Klein Jewish Day School, and as chairman of Super Sunday. As co-chair of Mission 500, he took 500 Floridians to Israel. Jerry and Sylvia were 1994 Simon Wiesenthal Center honorees. Recently, Jerry received the prestigious 2010 IMPACT Award for his philanthropic support of Hospice by the Sea's Sylvia Wolens Caretakers Program. Jerry was predeceased by his wife and his sister, Maxine Jacobson of Fort Worth. Survivors: Son, Marc Wolens (Paula); daughters, Pamela Neimand (Douglas) and Alyson Slutzky (Richard); and grandchildren, Gabrielle Neimand, Dr. Jonathan Neimand, Dane Slutzky and Beth Slutzky.