Gerald David "Jerry" Robin, PhD

Gerald David "Jerry" Robin, PhD, husband of Avis Robin, passed away at home on Thursday, January 25, 2024, surrounded by his wife, and special caregiver, Linda.

Jerry was born to Jack and Sylvia Robin in Philadelphia, where he grew up among a large extended family. His parents always said how brilliant he was, learning to read at a young age. Jerry was a lifeguard at a local pool in Philadelphia. When his younger brother Gary, a non-swimmer, was around five or six years old, Gary jumped in the deep end and Jerry jumped in and saved him.

When he was in high school, Jerry learned how to hypnotize his friends. He had a friend who didn't get along with his mother, but Jerry hypnotized the friend to kiss and hug his mom while his other friends on the block were watching.

Jerry drove a yellow cab for a couple years when he was in graduate school at the University of Pennsylvania, which he attended after earning his undergraduate degree from Temple University.

Jerry had a 40-plus year career as a professor of criminal justice at the University of New Haven, where he started the program with a colleague. He authored textbooks and professional articles as well as teaching, retiring as a professor emeritus.

Prior to his university career, he held a high position in a company called National Analysts. Because he always liked the food business, he once opened a Jo-Ann's Nut House in a mall near his home in Connecticut, running it for a few years until it closed. Jerry's carpenter built him a portable candy display case on wheels. When he set it up in one of the malls near the escalator, lines formed to buy his candy and nuts.

As well as candy, Jerry loved classic movies, TV shows Gunsmoke, Law & Order, Blue Bloods and show tunes!

Besides his loving wife Avis, he is survived by his brother Gary (Maxine); special caregiver Linda; stepsons Greg Thielman and Jeff Thielman (Christine); stepdaughter Debralynn Santora; six step-grandchildren; 5 step-nieces; 4 grandnieces; 2 grandnephews, and a brother-in-law Anthony Miller. He also leaves behind his special friends, Peggy DeStefano, Lisa Thielman, Gary Schreter, Rick Anson, Russ Dalrymple, and Ken Gray.

Jerry was a loyal friend and loving husband and will be dearly missed.

His family will receive relatives and friends on Thursday, February 1st from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the John J. Ferry & Sons Funeral Home, 88 E. Main St., Meriden, CT 06450. The funeral service will be held on Friday, February 2nd at 10:00 a.m. in the funeral home. Burial will follow in Sacred Heart Cemetery.