Jerome Lichtman

Jerome 'Jerry' Leonard Lichtman, son of Esther z"l (nee Scherer) and Ben Lichtman z"l, born May 6, 1928, Bayonne, NJ, died peacefully at home with family in Raleigh, NC, on November 27, 2024.

Jerry is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 36 years, Barbara Lichtman. His first wife of 31 years, Elaine Lichtman z"l, preceded him following a long and courageous battle with breast cancer. Jerry was adored by his three children, Aviva Woodland, Aron Lichtman, and Alisa & husband Lew z"l Wiener; two stepchildren, Marta & husband Patrick King Manning and Larry & wife Alison King Pollet; eight grandchildren, Elaine & husband Steve Burckardt, Patraic & wife Kathryn Lichtman, Wesley & wife Eliana Woodland, Zachary Wiener, Jillian Wiener z"l, Lindsay Wiener z"l, Teddy King Pollet, and Bess King Pollet; great grandson, Yisroel Yehuda Simcha Woodland; many brother-in-laws and sister-in-laws; many nieces and nephews; and friends from all parts of his full and sweet life.

After earning his Bachelor's Degree in accounting from Pace University, Jerry served as a staff sergeant in the U.S. Army. With the loving support of Elaine, he left accounting to pursue psychotherapy, earning a Master's Degree in social work (MSW) from Hunter College. Jerry worked passionately as a psychotherapist for more than 40 years at the Fairlawn Mental Health Center (Fairlawn, NJ) helping children and adults improve their mental health. Jerry enjoyed an active and meaningful retirement with Barbara in Sarasota, FL, where he volunteered in the Sarasota School System helping children with emotional difficulties and supported patients and families in hospice.

Jerry's passions throughout life included attending ballet, theater, and classical concerts; visiting art museums; gardening; traveling; and reading. His greatest passion was spending time with family, friends, and people he would meet in line at the grocery store.

Jerry had a smile that lit up your heart, and a laugh that was impossible to resist. He was known to find humor in almost anything, often cracking jokes that made everyone laugh-especially himself. Jerry consistently expressed gratitude for life and love to all of us.

May we all live our lives as Jerry did-savoring every moment of life with gratitude and love; coffee and chocolate.

The funeral graveside service will be at Raleigh Hebrew Cemetery (450 N State St, Raleigh, NC) on Sunday, December 1, 2024 at noon. Shiva will be at the Lichtman home in Raleigh on December 1, 2, and 3, from 7:00 -9:00 PM each evening.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Anti-Defamation League or the Southern Poverty Law Center.