Gerald "Jerry" Raymond Brimacombe

There are people who led big lives and then there was Jerry Brimacombe. During his 92 years, Jerry had many adventures, experiences and passions. He passed away peacefully on February 14, 2026.

A native of Rochester, New York, his surroundings shaped his early passions of bicycle racing and speedskating. He even participated in the Olympic Speedskating Trials in Lake Placid.

A bit of serendipity shaped not only Jerry's career, but also his life. Jerry enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps where he was assigned to shoot photos of his fellow soldiers and the scenes they encountered. It was during this period that he honed his craft. At one point during his eight years with the Marines, he was stationed at Fort Ripley. Minnesota. At a dance, he met Marcelle Grengs who was attending nursing school in Little Falls. He was somehow able to convince her to marry him. Their marriage was long and happy and resulted in three children.

Armed with his photography skills and an unerring eye for composition and timing, Jerry went to work as photographer for the Minneapolis Star where he earned many awards for spot news photography.

Feeling that there were bigger stories to be told, Jerry became a freelance photographer for publications including Life, People, Look, Sports Illustrated, National Geographic and Time-Life books with whom he had a 40 year partnership. His subjects included presidents, Olympians, celebrities and even the Beatles. His freelance career also included shooting for advertising agencies across the country. He shot acclaimed campaigns for companies including Pan Am Airlines, Land O' Lakes, Ireland Tourism Board, Steamboat Ski Resort and Wells Fargo.

Jerry loved to ski in Colorado, so it wasn't a surprise when he and his friend and partner in crime, Steve Griak, hatched a plan to make a ski movie. The resulting movie is now enshrined in Colorado Ski Hall of Fame. Go to YouTube and search for "Steamboat's a Comin'." You will be glad you did! His iconic photograph for Steamboat Resort was named one of the top 10 ski photos of all time by Ski Magazine.

With a keen eye for color and composition, Jerry turned his attention to oil painting. Using his landscape photography as reference, he painted highly detailed scenes that were as impressive as they were beautiful.

Another of Jerry's schemes was to shoot location and ship photos for various cruise lines. Of course, he needed an assistant to accompany him and who better than Marcy to tote his camera bag. Together they enjoyed over 50 cruises to ports of call across the globe. (He also greatly enjoyed the copious amount of onboard food.)

Jerry made many trips to the BWCA with Marcy and the kids in tow. His photographs of the BWCA illustrated the book "Travels in Canoe Country."

A fanatical model railroad enthusiast, Jerry recreated the New York Central Railroad to the smallest detail. He also loved to travel by rail where he could regale his fellow travelers with anecdotes.

Jerry was at the vanguard of the cross-country ski movement that came to the upper Midwest in the 1970's. He participated in the first Birkebeiner back in the days of wooden skis and iron men.

Of course, Jerry was more than a jet-setting professional photographer. He was a family man. After his time in the Marines, Jerry and Marcy eventually settled in Bloomington with their children. They then moved to Edina and built their longtime home near Braemar golf course where they enjoyed many rounds.

Jerry was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Marcelle, with whom he shared almost 50 years of marriage and family life.

He is survived by his second wife, Barbara Bowen who provided companionship and care. He is also survived by his three children, Mark Brimacombe and his wife Connie, Ann Brimacombe and her husband Mark Wirt, Tom Brimacombe and his wife Lisa Lincoln; his three grandchildren, Ashley Johnson, Ben Brimacombe, and Allison Brimacombe; and his great-granddaughter, Vivian Johnson, all of whom brought him great joy.

A devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, Jerry will be remembered for his strength, creative spirit and the lasting impact he made on those who knew and loved him. His legacy lives on through his family, his art and the memories he leaves behind.

The family would like to thank the dedicated and unflappable caregivers at Flagstone Care Center in Eden Prairie who helped Jerry enjoy the last months of his life.

A private burial service will be held at a later date.