Jerome Bischoping

Passed away November 1, 2024. Predeceased by: parents, Frank Bischoping and Anna (Kipferl) Bischoping;
sisters, Rita (Frank) Burton, Arline (Edward) Young, Theresa (Gerard) Burns, Anna May (Kurt) Gurgel; brothers, Robert (Jean), Edward (Dorothy), George, Joseph; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Joan Bischoping, Richard Weist, Thomas Young, Bernard Resch, Roberta Statt, Margaret (Roy) Morse.
Survived by his loving wife of 65 years, Helen (Hart) Bischoping; children, Noreen (Alan) Crouse, Scott (Tina), Brian (Sue Schwartz), Gerald (Jennifer), and Paul (Linda); grandchildren, Heidi (RJ) Campoli, Jeremy (Colleen) Crouse, Kevin Bischoping (Bahaur Amini), Kelly (Keagan) French, Greg (Mary Seraj) Bischoping, Shari Bischoping, Tyler, Alex, and Sara Bischoping; great grandchildren, Emma, Ricky Campoli and Sydney Crouse; brother, Frank Bischoping; sisters, Edna Weist, Joan Young and Rosemary Resch; brother-in-law, Joseph Statt and numerous nieces and nephews.
Jerome Bischoping (aka Jerry, Bisch, Uncle Bunny, Godfather, Dad, Grandpa, Opa) was born on December 7th 1934 into a family of 15 in Ogden, New York and a twin to Joan Young, who always claimed 'age over beauty' when asked who was older. That mischievous twinkle in his eye began back when he was known to climb up a tree to avoid going to school. Although he was quite smart, Jerome (and his family members) were encouraged to leave school at sixteen to help on the farm. He eventually got his GED in the Army. The Bischoping farmland in Ogden was large and required many to harvest, especially during strawberry picking time. That's where Jerome met the love of his life, in a strawberry field, when Helen Hart and her sister came to help pick the crops. Back then, everyone who picked gathered for lunch, created by the field owner's family. Helen saw him picking with another woman and two young children and assumed he was already 'taken.' After she found out it was his sister-in-law with her children, the rest became history. They were married in January 1959 when Jerome was on leave from the Army, based in Colorado Springs. Jerome and Helen spent most of their first year in Colorado and have enjoyed going back to relive the memories. Jerry has always been what the family likes to call a "McGuyver," always finding ways to utilize unexpected items to obtain his goal. Prior to the Army, he worked as a mechanic in a car shop in Spencerport. That piece of on-the-job experience landed him a mechanic's job in the Army when he was able to successfully diagnose a problem with the commanding officer's vehicle. When his duty was up in 1959, Jerome and Helen bought a dairy farm in Clyde, NY where Noreen, Scott, and Brian were born. However, when their farming partner decided to move back to the city, it was too much for them to take on alone and they found a parcel of land in Rush to raise their family. In 1964 the family loaded up and moved to Rush and had two more children, Gerry and Paul. Bisch went to work for Kodak, finding his niche as a Crane Operator and eventually becoming a foreman. He was very proud of his Kodak work and new friends but continued to 'farm' with his growing family. The children recall planting, picking, freezing, canning as a summer way of life. Soon the Bischoping backyard housed a barnyard for chickens, wooly sheep, a cat 'condo', a 3-story jungle gym, tire swing, and merry-go-round built with the best scrapyard materials Jerome could find. He was also known to help others out with car or mechanical projects. He sometimes had to sweet talk his way out of why he was fixing someone else's items when there was a 'honey-do' list at home?! Jerome enjoyed taking his kids ice skating while he went ice fishing and going out hunting with his German short-haired pointer was another favorite pastime. Even with 5 kids, he and Helen made time for themselves, joining a square-dancing group, attending country music concerts/oktoberfests, baseball excursions, helping at St Joseph & Good Shepherd church events, or just dancing around the living room while the kids played their instruments. Later they got involved with the Rush Seniors, attending social gatherings, trips, and 4th of July parades. When Bisch decided to take an early retirement from Kodak in the early 90's he continued to take on contracted crane operating jobs for organizations such as New Energy Works that built timber frame homes. For the first time, family members could watch him at work. Some of his work includes the BJ's in Webster and Christ Church on Main St, as well as threading a beam through trees into a home overlooking Irondequoit Bay. He was truly a safety conscious, detailed, and hardworking man. However, very humble and never wanted accolades for his accomplishments. Since Jerome had some extra time now, he teamed up with his brother-in-law at the various holidays to deliver flowers. They came home with many smiles and a lot of stories to go with each trip! At the same time as his Kodak retirement, Jerry's love of farming kicked into full swing. He was never one to stay idle. After taking an extended vacation with his sister and brother-in-law to Europe, Jerome brought home German garlic. (Shhh we know you're not supposed to do that now.) Pretty soon he was gardening up a storm and setting up first a table, then a stand, then buying additional acreage on Pinnacle Road to expand what now included son Brian in the farming business. Thus, Bischoping Gardens was formed. This business has been in operation for more than 30 years and has included children, grandchildren, and now great-grandchildren throughout its operation. The comments from customers say much about Jerry's character, including "your dad was a very giving and loving man which reflects the loving family he raised. I will miss his smile and sense of humor." This statement summed him up. The sense of humor this past week was evident when Helen asked what the VA doctor said. His response: "She says she likes my blue eyes." Regarding his character, several of his children recalled times when he gave rides to strangers off the street and when asked (this is a paraphrase): "I saw them at church and if they are good enough for God, they should be good enough for me."
Lastly and most importantly, Jerome, Jerry, Bisch, Uncle Bunny, Godfather, Dad, Grandpa, Opa loved his friends and family. Attending baseball games and plays, chatting with customers at what we call the 'Agricultural Barber Shop', playing card games, teasing, providing help when asked made him the happiest. Grandma and Grandpa took their grandkids and great grandkids to Darien Lake every year for 33 years (specifically asking that parents stay home so they can spoil them any way they wanted!) In the last few years, they've added playing weekly hand and foot games with close friends and other family & friends who have 'adopted' them as grandparents. Within the last two months, doctors have asked Jerome how he's feeling. He has always stated "I'm very happy" and to what makes you happy, he always says "my family." Based on what one customer at the stand said, "we come to talk to him because he reminds us of our dad," Jerome has a very extended family and those of you reading this are a part of it. This "legend" of a man (as one cousin put it) will be greatly missed but heaven gained a great saint.
Based on Jerome's love of giving to others, the family has chosen in lieu of flowers that donations be made to :
RHAFT (Rush Henrietta Area Food Terminal or Henrietta Food Cupboard) fishrhaftinc.org
PO Box 302 Henrietta, NY 14467-0302)
or
Rush Volunteer Fire Dept rushfd.org
1971 Rush Mendon Rd Rush, NY 14543
Friends and Family may call THURSDAY November 7, 2024 from 3-7 at Miller Funeral and Cremation Services, Inc. (3325 Winton Rd. S). Jerry's Funeral Mass will be held 10 AM FRIDAY at St. Marianne Cope Parish (2061 E. Henrietta Rd.). Interment Ascension Garden Cemetery.