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BORN
1948
DIED
2014
Jerome Kokosinski Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for Jerome Kokosinski
Paul Quiunn
May 10, 2020
SUNDAY
May 10, 2020
Even as early as his freshman year in high school, Jerry (as unassuming as he was) was displaying a real talent in photography. As editor of the newspaper in my senior year, I was most reliant on Jerry's photographic abilities and excellence.
For the first time in the history of the school, Jerry, several others, and I decided on assembling a literary magazine, as our time at Saint George ended.
One of the magazine's articles featured a fictitious, unnamed-but-respected pool enthusiast, an older gentleman well respected by the management of the hall he frequented.
Jerry's task? Find a gent in a pool hall matching the description the article portrayed.
Jerry knew of just the party and place: a retired city auditor/pool player and his "establishment," a second floor dive above a small bowling alley in a seedy building near the Howard Street "El."
And so off we went, hoping "Jim" -- we'll call him that -- would be at the pool hall when we arrived.
To our dismay, Jim wasn't at his customary pool table but was lured away from his flat about a block away to resume a friendship (and share a beer) with "Walt," one of Jim's buddies from his past he had neglected to remember.
Guess who "Walt" was?
With management's phone aid, Jim's arrival fifteen minutes after he was called, and our photographer "Walt" paying for only the pool enthusiast's drink (since our lensman nor I was of legal drinking age), Jerry's ruse worked, with even the oldster among us getting a laugh over the caper enticing him from his studio apartment -- and we heading back to campus with a super literary mag shot, perfect for the article!
I have another "Jerry Gem" or two, so do again provide the opportunity, in the future!
Rest in the peace of the Lord, dear Jerry!
Sincerely,
Paul Quinn SGHS '66
1-773-784-3328 (H)
[email protected]
Paul Quinn
May 10, 2019
FRIDAY
May 10, 2019
10:46 A.M.
After the (Saint George High School) Christian Brothers had beaten all the life out of one of their station wagons, Hilary (Jerry's father) would, for next-to-nothing, buy the vehicle - and then roll thousands of additional miles on the wreck!
One afternoon -- on the trip back from Saint George to my home in Park Ridge with Jerry driving and I "riding shotgun" -- we two had reason to stop suddenly. As Jerry slammed on the brakes, my two shoes went through the front passenger side floorboard, landing on the pavement. Pulling over to the side of the road, Jerry and I laughed so hard we - with this typist ultimately in the seat behind the driver - couldn't continue on for minutes!
In our Senior Year at Saint George, the graduates-to-be only were given (for the first time) off- campus lunch privileges. I had never eaten a Burger King Whopper until Jerry introduced me to the delicacy at that time in my life. Teaching probably a trigonometry class on the school's first floor near the lot where "the wreck" was parked, Jerry's dad Hilary was always sought out, before we zipped to Burger King for lunch. Jerry would simply open Mr. K's front classroom door and, with as much regularity as the day is long, would always bellow " two - and hold the onions and pickle" - and then, without missing a beat, he'd return to "class matters" and trigonometry! Jerry's dad was as much a father to me as was my own dad during my high school years, and -- after I finished college -- was my professional mentor and colleague as I (and he) taught and "administered" at Saint Patrick High School, with this typist finishing almost forty-years there as an English teacher, in 2012.
I miss Jerry and, to my dying day, will regret - save the perennial Holiday Card - not making personal contact with him, after we graduated from Saint George. If this opportunity is provided again five years from now, I'll give you several more "capers" and "experiences" Jerry and I shared.
Sincerely - with appreciation for the opportunity!
Paul Quinn SGHS '66
1-773-784-3328 (H)
[email protected]
Jim Court
July 27, 2014
I am the ex-husband of Janice. I do not mean to be disrespectful or inappropriate. Although I was devastated by my divorce, I am thankful that Jan went on to build a successful life and family with Jerry. I know he was a good and decent person who was a good father and husband. I am thankful for that. I lost my brother several years ago and as a result I can relate to your loss. Life is short and we never know what tomorrow will bring. I am truly sorry for your loss.
June 25, 2014
I attended Saint George High School with Jerry, from 1962 to 1966. With his dad Hilary (a Saint George administrator), he often drove me to my Park Ridge home before heading to Northbrook and the home his dad built with his own hands.
As we interacted on an extra-curricular level during our high school years, Jerry and I became very close friends who - ironically and, now, tragically - hadn't seen each other since "Mr. K's" wake and funeral.
In a perfunctory fashion, yearly holiday cards kept us in contact.
I'm shocked and saddened to learn of Jerry's passing. Rest assured, please: He's in my thoughts and prayers.
Paul Quinn
(H) 1-773-784-3328
June 6, 2014
Jerry was my supervisor in the 1970's at the Post Office on Shermer Road in Northbrook. He helped me study math and chemistry. He shared his love of opera, jazz, classical music, and his love of top down motoring in the TR6. Jerry was respected and admired, he was a great friend and supervisor. We often said that we were cuckoo for koko. I was blessed to have shared good times with him.
Katherine Kokosinski
June 6, 2014
Thank you for sharing your memories, Chas. I read this to my mom (Jan) today when I saw your post.
Chas Martini
May 17, 2014
I first knew Jerry in grade school where we traded postage stamps and were always in the same class. Jerry and I worked together or in conjunction over the past 30+ years at USPS. Our conversations always became a "stream of humorous consciousness" which I enjoyed and looked forward to. All of our mutual coworkers held Jerry in high regard and respected his knowledge and advice. I will remember his sense of humor always - one of a few coworkers I will truly miss. My prayers to Jan and their family.
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