Jerald B. Strauss

Jerald B. (Jerry) Strauss passed away on December 29, 2025, at Gilchrist Center in Towson, Maryland. He was 80 years old.

Jerry was born on March 9, 1945 in the Center of the Universe (the uninitiated know it as Brooklyn, New York). He went to Samuel J. Tilden High School in Brooklyn, graduating one year early. He attended Long Island University in Brooklyn and received a BS in political science.

Of course, with a poli sci degree the best-paying job you can get is with the federal government. Jerry started with the Social Security Administration in the New York Payment Center, then moved to the District Office in Silver Spring, Maryland, then to SSA headquarters in Baltimore. He retired in January 2009.

Jerry played guitar (a Martin D28), and he enjoyed photography, reading, music, and movies. He loved going to concerts (folk, rock, classical) and Broadway shows, especially musicals. He also enjoyed writing poems and songs, and he enjoyed performing ones specially written for birthday and retirement parties. He grew up a Brooklyn Dodgers fan and loved attending baseball games. He later became an avid Yankees fan and an Orioles fan when they were playing anyone but the Yankees.

Jerry was predeceased by his father, Ben; his mother, Mollie; his nephew, Steven Poss; and his sister, Rosalie Poss. He is survived by his wife, Robin, and their cat, Henry.

Donations in Jerry's memory can be made to Smile Train (support.smiletrain.org), Doctors Without Borders (give.doctorswithoutborders.org), or any no-kill animal shelter of your choosing.

Services will be private.