Jerry Kinsley

1917 - 2018

Jerry Kinsley, 101, passed away peacefully on December 9, 2018. Son of Dominic and Katharine Kinsley, Jerry was born on November 17, 1917, in Stowell, PA, a small Irish settlement. The Kinsleys were farmers, and Jerry diligently worked on the farm until the fall of 1939, when he made his way down to Florida. Jerry possessed a great memory until the very end, and would often talk fondly of his childhood on the farm. The skills he acquired from his youth served him well in Florida, where he became heavily involved in construction. He married Elizabeth "Betty" Brooks on March 26, 1941, and they were married for 72 years, until Betty's passing in 2013. Around the time of their marriage, Jerry became active in the labor unions, and was in fact a union iron worker. He did some work in Oak Ridge, TN, where the atomic bomb was developed, and shortly after enlisted in the Construction Battalion of the U.S. Navy. He served in Japan for one year and was discharged in February of 1946. Settled in Orlando, Jerry continued his career in construction as a superintendent; he supervised numerous jobs at the missile base in Cape Kennedy, as well as some of Orlando's largest buildings in the 1950s and early 60s. When Jerry finally owned his own company, Kinsley Construction, he oversaw the construction of Wigwam Village and Winter Park Pines, among other large projects. In addition, Jerry was the mayor of Edgewood for 17 years. A faithful son, husband, father, grandfather, friend and citizen, Jerry lived a long, full life, and will be missed by all who have had the privilege to be a part of it. He was a proud Catholic and Irishman, having visited Ireland well over 20 times; his last trip was just this year, in fact, in late July, at 100 years old. He was a master woodworker, capable of making cabinets, tables, chairs, and much more. The homes of his immediate family are proudly decorated with some of his craftsmanship. He kept his sharp wit and humor until the end; most who met him were either surprised by his age or shocked that a man his age could be so funny and engaging. He also managed to keep his appetite, often times during holidays eating more than his great-grandchildren.Jerry will always be remembered for his patriotism. He read two or three newspapers a day and rigorously followed current events. As a veteran and a former mayor, Jerry, whether he knew it or not, taught those around him what it means to be an American citizen. He was a man of devotion, to God, family, friends and country, and though his loved ones will miss his chewed cigars, leprechaun ties and potted meat sandwiches, they will miss his devotion much more. Jerry is survived by his daughter, Patricia Stinson (Al), brothers William Kinsley and Donald Kinsley, sister Ann Antioch, four grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, and countless nieces and nephews. His funeral will be held on December 22, 2018, at 1 pm at St. James Cathedral, 215 N. Orange Ave. Orlando. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. James Cathedral.