Jerrold Emil "Jerry" Cernich

1943 - 2017

April 29, 1943 - April 9, 2017 Jerrold "Jerry" Emil Cernich, brother, husband, father, and friend died peacefully at his home in Anchorage, AK, Palm Sunday, April 9, 2017. He was 73. Jerry was born to Emil and Mayme Cernich on April 29, 1943 in Bellingham, WA. In 1953 the family moved to Snohomish, WA. Jerry graduated from Snohomish High in 1961 gaining local notoriety playing varsity football for the Panthers. In 1963 he left Snohomish on a fishing boat bound for Alaska. His 54-year adventure would see him working and living with a young family in tow in Southeastern Alaska, Cooper Landing and finally settling down in Anchorage in the 1970's. Jerry would become a pioneer in electrical contracting to light the 49th state, first as a partner with Blitz Electric, then as President and Owner of Arctic Electric Inc. Jerry was a proud member of the I.B.E.W since 1976. He was a man of few words, but Jerry spoke volumes with his actions whenever he saw a need in his community. He was instrumental in the formation of Anchorage Youth Hockey, coaching for many years. He also helped create and build the Simonian Little League baseball field in the 1970's. Jerry's life and legacy will be honored and carried on by his wife of 27 years, Shiela; his daughter, Kim Taylor (Butch) and their children, Josh and Bailey Caple and Dusty Taylor; son, Kord Cernich and his sons, Garin and Max; and daughter, Karla Cernich and her children, Tyler and Kelsey Null and Melody Lankford. Jerry is also survived by his sisters, Joan McDaniel of Maltby, WA and Jan Stroh of Seattle, WA; his nieces and nephews, a loyal group of childhood friends and his former wife and friend, Vivian. Jerry was a man of simple tastes who liked to wear his collars up, sing a good country song, play golf in sunny weather, watch his beloved Seattle Mariners and surround himself with his canine companions, Sadie and Zoeie. Jerry will be laid to rest overlooking the mountains at Angelus Memorial Park Cemetery in Anchorage. A celebration of Jerry's life will be held on Sunday, April 23, 2017 at the Fox Hollow Chalet, 11801 Brayton Drive, Anchorage, from 2:00-6:00 p.m. ...dress casual as Jerry didn't like wearing ties. Jerry loved flowers, or a donation in his name may be made to Friends of Pets in Anchorage. Alaska will forever be different without him.