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Gerald Turry Obituary
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A proud Loyola University Chicago graduate, Jerry valued the power of a good education. Throughout his career, Jerry became linked with terms like "leadership" and "innovation." At Niles West, Jerry served as Athletic Director for 17 years and was inducted into the Illinois Athletic Directors Hall of Fame in 2006. In 2005, Jerry was elected Mayor of Lincolnwood and served until 2017. The Village of Lincolnwood honored him for his services to their community in 2023 with the dedication of the Gerald C. Turry Village Board Room.
Jerry was a man of many talents and interest including cyclist, toffee maker, dog lover and Cubs fan enthusiast! Jerry took part and often led a group of cyclists in Register's Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa, better known as RAGBRAI for many years. He loved going out in the early morning to go on long rides with his friends. Misericordia Holiday Toffee was his specialty, when he volunteered in their Hearts & Flour Bakery every holiday season. He was their toffee maker extraordinaire, often making dozens of pounds of toffee a day for a month to fill their many orders! Jerry also had a special place in his heart for his dogs; Emily, Spencer, Lucy and Ethel.
To say he was a Cubs fan, is an understatement. He loved them and attending games at Wrigley Field. He once said his mother would let him attend the games on his own when he was young, because no one else was there and he would be easy to spot on TV so she could keep an eye on him.
May his memory be a blessing.
Graveside services Tuesday 11am at Zion Gardens Cemetery, 6758 West Addison (Section B), Chicago, IL. In lieu of flowers remembrance to the Misericordia Foundation would be greatly appreciated.
Arrangements entrusted to Ner Tamid Funerals, 847-504-7336, or www.NTFunerals.com
To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Gerald Turry, please visit our Tree Store.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
42 Entries
Ernie Stark
5 hours ago
Dear Nancy,
Edith and send our heart felt condolences. I have happy memories of working with Gerry during the Advent Brunches. He always was humorous, efficient, and caring, and I looked forward to being him each year.
Ernie Stark
Mary Beth and John Nilson
Earlier today
From the moment we first met Jerry as Misericordia parents, we knew he was a special guy and always concerned for the 'little people'. He was always goal orientated for our fund raising efforts with such kindness and concern for everyone. He was a wonderful friend and we will miss him. May you have comfort in the days ahead and know that Jerry was loved by many.
Mary Beth and John Nilson
Patty Ramirez
Yesterday
Nancy- I am sorry for your loss. May your faith, family and friends help you through this time. Patty
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Joyce Wing
Yesterday
Nancy and family, so sorry for your loss, may your memories of such a wonderful husband and father comfort you in the days ahead.
Garry Gustafson
Yesterday
My condolences go out to the Turry Family. Jerry was responsible for my 32 year career at Niles West. He gave a young guy a chance at being the head baseball coach and teaching physical education back in the early 90´s. I will always cherish the time we spent together.
Rest in Peace Jerry, you will never be forgotten.
Garry Gustafson
Cathy Zuro
Yesterday
Nancy,
My thoughts are with you at this difficult time. Mark & I enjoyed getting to know you and Jerry at Misericordia events. May the love of friends bring you comfort today and in the days to come. Cathy Zuro
BerniceBurg
Yesterday
So sorry to hear of your passing!!
You were a legend in Lincolnshire and Misericordia!! I send light and love to your family!! Bernice Burg
Steve Brown
Yesterday
Wonderful local official and an even a better person. Illinois is a better place because of his efforts. Prayers of comfort and strength for his family in these sad times
Rodney Craig
Yesterday
Another shocking note to hear losing Gerry. When I showed up as a rookie Mayor he was kind and genuine. A great model for my future leasing our Community. Kind thoughts for the blessed family.
Rod and Sherry Craig
Ronald Cope
Yesterday
Sorry to learn of Jerry´s. Passing I served on the Lincolnwood village board while he was Mayor. He had a good heart and always wanted what was best for the people of the Village. He did what he could to make life better for the community and that is a great legacy.
Joe Brennan
Yesterday
Nancy and family, Jerry was a real go-getter and forward thinker, especially as athletic director. From getting the Central Suburban League ADs connected with fax machines before email was a thing to pushing the IHSA to recognize girls soccer and boys volleyball as state sports, with Niles West hosting both sports inaugural state tournaments. It's no surprise he lent those organizational skills to Lincolnwood as mayor for many years. May his memory be a blessing. --Joe Brennan
Michael S Nelson
Yesterday
Nancy and Family
Very sorry to hear of Jerrys passing, always enjoyed seeing him and talking with you both at Misericordia
Jerrold kamensky
Yesterday
Dear Nancy and family, Gail and I are so very sorry for your loss of that wonderful man. I did not know Jerry well enough but always admired him from a distance. He set so many fine examples of what good a human can be.
Steve Korovesis
Yesterday
Nancy, our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family in this time of grief. Sammie, Rita, & Steve Korovesis
Ann Blake Parsons
Yesterday
So thinking of you, Nancy, Ben, and Adam.
Know your cherish all the wonderful times together.
Deepest condolences, thoughts, prayers.
Love,
Ann Parsons
Sue Nesbitt
Yesterday
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Jen Sinnick
Yesterday
Jerry took a chance on me and hired me as Niles West´s first boys volleyball coach. It was his baby and I was grateful for the opportunity. We hosted the first state championship at West. What an honor. We shared that and the love of springer spaniels. His Spencer was often in his office by his desk.
One thing I remember is at the end of each sports season he would stop by every sports banquet-if there were more than one he would get to them both. I always thought that was special. Prayers to all his family and friends.
Vincenza (Zina) Brancato
Yesterday
As the days and weeks pass, and as you return to life's routine, may you continue to feel comforted by the love and support of family and friends.
My heartfelt Condolences dear Nancy and family!
Carolyn Anderson
Yesterday
My sympathies to Nancy and the family.
Jerry and I worked together at District 219 when he was athletic director at Niles West and I was assistant superintendent (1987-2003). I remember him as a man who was a creative problem solver and passionate about education. He always focused on doing what was right for kids. He was also one of those directors I could always count on to be honest with me. He never said what he thought I wanted to hear, but what he thought I needed to hear. May his memory be a blessing.
Steve and Pam Foerch
Yesterday
Our hearts are heavy at Mr. Turry's passing. It was our honor to coach and teach with such a great man.
Stephanie Westphal
Yesterday
Prayers to the Turry Family. My heart goes out to you all for your loss. May God be with you during this very sad time
Warm Regards,
Stephanie Westphal
Judi Sloan
Yesterday
Dear Nancy and family,
Wishing you feelings of comfort, moments of peace, and memories of joy during this difficult time. As my Athletic Director, Jerry always supported the many crazy ideas that I always came up with. As a friend, I will never forget all the wonderful times we had on the bicycle rides across Iowa and Illinois. He was so much fun. On the first 500 mile ride he showed up with a regular wide tire bike with no gears and a large tool kit. He also wore blue jeans. By the end of the trip, he had a new fancy road bike with all the updated bike cloths to go with it. He bought something new in every town along the way and ended up "Mr. Biker Extraordinaire". What great fun we had! He made the ride so much fun, just as he made his life.
Jule Ward
Yesterday
Nancy, Our hearts go out to you. How hard it is to lose an excellent partner of so many years. You are in our prayers. Jule and John Ward
Mike Hartnett
Yesterday
I came to know Jerry through Misericordia, one of Chicago´s great institutions and where my brother John lived and thrived for almost 30 years. Jerry and his wife Nancy were very prominent and active at Candy Days planning meetings and elsewhere, cleary passionate about any cause they took up. Jerry´s enthusiasm for the Chicago Cubs carried through to the name of the large team of cyclists he led on RAGBRAI odysseys across Iowa for many years-the Chicago Urban Bicycling Society (CUBS). In 2007, I joined that adventure and learned that Jerry was a fine leader and organizer, combining the traits of a Marine Corps drill sergeant and stand-up comedian. May God bless and take you Jerry!
Connie and Bob Soudan
August 17, 2025
Our good friend Jerry always had a smile and a joke. Nancy and Jerry were dedicated to their family, including Misericordia. We attended many Family Fest and Candy Days meetings over the decades. He always had a joke for us to start the meeting. His positive attitude rubbed off on everyone. Connie and Bob Soudan
Debbie & Dan Greenberg
August 17, 2025
Jerry was one of the sweetest guys! Misericordia brought Nancy, Jerry, and us together. Loved him. May his memory forever be a blessing. And, may Nancy and family find strength in the memories they have.
Love,
Debbie & Dan Greenberg
Mary and Caesar Patarazzi
August 17, 2025
Sending our deepest condolences, to Nancy and family.
Mary and Caesar Patarazzi
Scott Zolke
August 17, 2025
"Doc" Turry was a gem. He impacted everyone he met. He was our teacher, our athletic trainer, our mentor and our friend. When he came to Niles West as a biology teacher and athletic trainer, he made all of us better. In 1971-72 we won a CSL football championship, advanced to the elite 8 in basketball and won a state baseball championship. He will live forever in our hearts and he will always will be a part of our best lives. The world is a better place because of the impact he made.
Coach Pat Savage
August 17, 2025
Gerry and myself started teaching at Niles West High School in 1969. He was aways a good friend. I was coaching when he was athletic director. He always supported running at Niles West. His son ran on the XC team.
Nancy and family, you are all in our thoughts and prayers. May he rest in peace.
Howard Gilbert
August 17, 2025
He always made whatever he touched better.
He will be missed.
Howard Gilbert and family.
The Minelli Family
August 17, 2025
Nancy and family, our heartfelt condolences on the loss of Jerry. What a guy! Many fond memories, too numerous to mention here, of volunteer days at Misericordia Sunday and Christmas Brunches - seeing the Bike Crew on occasional Sundays at Jack´s for great breakfasts - his gracious acceptance to speak at a MNASR event when he was Mayor. He surely will be missed. Love, hugs and blessings. The Minelli Family: Mary Ann, Fred and Michelle
Carol Marin
August 17, 2025
Nancy and family,
Jerry was a doll! He was engaged and fun and funny and kind. He had panache! Just look at those glasses! I loved talking to him. He was a public servant in the best possible meaning of that term. He gave his time, his energy and his care. He did the same for Misericordia. And he loved his family. It was an honor to know him. May his memory be as a blessing.
Love,
Carol Marin
MK Granato Dungan
August 17, 2025
Nancy and family. May your hearts find peace in Jerry's memory and legacy. Dr. David and Mary K Dungan
Sonia Bodi
August 17, 2025
Dear Nancy and family,
Gerry was a wonderful mayor and friend. My late husband Peter loved riding his bike with Gerry early every morning with the group as they all rode to Penny's in Highland Park where they ate french toast. Gerry deeply loved his family, his friends, and the people of Lincolnwood. Gerry loved Lucy and Ethel and their goofy antics, and he was always a friend to our Charley and Eddie. May you be comforted in knowing that he was well-loved by so many of us. Peace to his memory.
Love, Sonia Bodi
Helen Hoffenberg
August 17, 2025
Dear Nancy,
I was sad to see the news about Gerry. He and Earl had so many happy memories, from high school adventures to being sworn is as Mayor. You were lucky to have shared so many beautiful years together. Sending heartfelt condolences and love.
Helen Hoffenberg
Steve Colton
August 17, 2025
My condolences to you and your family. I´ve known Gerry since high school and there will always be a special place in my heart for him. Steve Colton
Judi
August 17, 2025
Nancy,
We were saddened to hear of Gerry's passing. We enjoyed having him as our Mayor and neighbor for many years. Please accept our heartfelt condolences to you and your family at this time. Judi and Paul Winer
Dick Strauss
August 16, 2025
Nancy, so sorry to hear about Jerry´s passing. May his memory be a Blessing.
Marvin Bloom
August 16, 2025
Jerry was a dear friend to many. June and I were fortunate to share Misericordia, Ragbrai for many years and holidays in Puerto Vallarta. Jerry was a true character with a great sense of humor,
love of experiences and a mensch to boot. He will be missed.
Peter Alexander
August 16, 2025
Bonnie (Sorkin) and I send our condolences to the Turry family.
Mr. RAGBRAI will be missed. Peter Alexander
Teri & Ken Brown
August 15, 2025
Jerry loved life... In the short time we were privileged to know him we witnessed epic walks, climbs and marathon sports watching! Never say never seemed his mantra. We hope, now, that he´s at peace and that the family will know no more sorrow. Remember the good times; share the memories and smile.
Teri & Ken Brown
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Upcoming Events
Aug
20
Shiva
5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Bryn Mawr Country Club
6600 North Crawford Avenue, Lincolnwood, IL 60712
Send FlowersServices provided by
Ner Tamid Funerals - NorthbrookOnly 10 hours left for delivery to next service.