JERRY MARGOLIN

Margolin, Jerry

May 9, 1935 - April 19, 2014

Jerry was born in Boston, Massachusetts, son of Coronel Baruch Margolin, an Army officer, and Ruth Levine. His family lived in a number of places including Dorchester, Massachusetts; Indianola, Mississippi; Belleville, New Jersey; and Kobe, Japan. He was the first Bar Mitzvah, in Kobe, after the War.

He joined the Air Force in 1953. After being discharged, he came to California to pursue his acting dream. He met his soul mate and future wife, Connie, while they performed as comedians on a Tour for the Jewish USO. He and Connie would have celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary this year.

Jerry and Connie moved their family to Garden Grove in July of 1973 and soon became icons of the community. Professionally, Jerry worked for Metal Surfaces, a hi-tech aerospace metal finishing firm, where he retired as Vice-President of Sales and Marketing.

Jerry was a born volunteer. He leaves behind a legacy of service. As a 41-year resident of Garden Grove, Jerry was always involved in his community. He began volunteering for the Garden Grove Chamber of Commerce, where he served as president. Through his involvement with the Chamber, he became producer of the Miss Garden Grove Scholarship Organization in 1982. He took over the franchise in 1986, and remained an active volunteer until 2006. The program produced two Miss California's, Jennifer Hanson, Miss Garden Grove 1994; and Leah Cecil, Miss Garden Grove 2011.

Jerry was also active in a variety of community organizations. He served as President of the Garden Grove and Gardena Chambers of Commerce; President of the Kiwanis Club of Garden Grove; the Exchange Club of Gardena; Lieutenant Governor of the South Bay District Exchange Clubs; Board of Directors of the Garden Grove Girls and Boys Club; Los Alamitos Quarter Horse Charity Association; OCTA Advisory Board; SCORE counselor; member of the Garden Grove Planning Commission; and the Garden Grove Elks Lodge BPOE 1952. Last year, he retired from the Garden Grove Strawberry Festival Association, where he was a Past President and served on the Board of Directors for over 30 years. In 1991, he was honored as Citizen of the Year for the Cypress College Americana Awards and was named the Garden Grove Chamber's Man of the Year in 1993.

Jerry is survived by his wife, Connie; his children, Nancy Williams (Johnny), Eileen Carder (Glenn), Mike Margolin (Colleen), Debbie Righter (Ed, deceased), Stacy Margolin and Raphael Margolin (Wenona); 10 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren. His legacy will live on through his family and he will be deeply missed.

Funeral service at Mt. Olive Memorial Park, 1625 Gisler Ave., Costa Mesa, CA 92626, followed by reception at Garden Grove Courtyard Center, 12732 Main Street,, Garden Grove, CA 92840.