Robert Gerald Walser

ROBERT GERALD WALSER "Jerry" 85, passed away peacefully on Saturday, April 2, 2011 following years of declining health after a stroke in 1997. Jerry was born on December 24, 1925 in Syracuse, New York. He was a World War II Naval Veteran, spending 4 years in the South Pacific. After his discharge, he returned home, married, and raised his family. In 1952, Jerry graduated from Syracuse University with a degree in accounting and began his career at Genessee Brewing Company. Jerry entered the world of sports and entertainment in 1955 when he became the Business Manager of the Syracuse Nationals Basketball Team, an NBA franchise that later became the Philadelphia 76ers. He spent eight memorable years with the Syracuse Nationals and made lifelong friends. Jerry briefly joined the Phoenix Suns in 1968 as Business Manager before becoming the Director of Engagements for Shipstads & Johnson Ice Follies, where he worked until permanently moving to Phoenix in l977. Jerry spent the last 10 years of his career as the Arizona Veterans' Memorial Coliseum Manager in Phoenix before retiring in 1991. Jerry was blessed with a wonderful engaging sense of humor and was loved by all who met him. He had a great love for his family, friends, colleagues, westerns and chocolate. He will be dearly missed. Jerry was preceded in death by his older brother, John and is survived by Peggy, his beloved wife of 28 years, his sister, Marilyn Yurkonis (Don), his daughters Ellen deLara (Thom), Connie Soron (John), Lynne Nonni (Arthur), and his son, Jeremy Walser, as well as nieces and nephews, 8 grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated in his honor on Saturday, April 16th beginning at 10:00 am at St. Bernadette Catholic Church located at 16245 N. 60th Street, Scottsdale, AZ. 85254. A reception honoring Jerry's life will follow at the church. All who knew and loved him are welcome to attend. The funeral arrangements are being coordinated by Hansen Desert Hills Mortuary. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be forwarded to Mayo Clinic Arizona, 13400 E. Shea Blvd., Scottsdale, AZ 85259. Memorial gifts may also be given online at www.Mayoclinic.org (scroll down to Give Online). We love you, Jerry. You may now rest in the arms of the Lord. You are at peace now. Just breathe.

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