Jerry S. Lund Jr.

1946 - 2025

Jerry S. Lund, Jr.

Leyden, MA - Jerry S. Lund, 78, died unexpectedly while caring for the home he loved on Sunday, February 23. Jerry was born in Austin, Minnesota on November 15, 1946 to Jeremiah S. Lund and Mary Jean (Daugherty) Lund. His brother John Lund and Mary Ellen (Lund) Mortensen soon followed. In 1959 the family moved to Georgia where Jerry attended Briarcliff High School and Georgia Tech, where his 1960s Jaguar convertible rendered him a "chick magnet" in the eyes of his friends on campus.

Jerry was a decorated Vietnam War veteran, having served in the Navy from 1968 - 1970 with an honorable discharge with the rank of Lieutenant Junior Grade.

In 1970 he moved to Massachusetts to pursue a M.S. in Nutritional Science at UMass-Amherst.

Jerry was politically active his entire life, working for peace, justice and human rights through many organizations such as the Veterans Education Project, Citizens in Solidarity with the People of El Salvador (CISPES), and numerous healthcare advocacy groups and campaigns. He was a current board member of the Community Health Center of Franklin County, the clinic founded by his late wife Dr. Sarah Kemble.

Jerry's thirst for adventure and knowledge led him to work in Kenya on an agroforestry project, and to the Caribbean on a sailing adventure with friends after his discharge from the Navy.

Jerry met the love of his life, Sarah Kemble, while working as the New England Coordinator for CISPES. Their shared passion for truth and justice consumed their life together. They were so busy that, on May 14, 1986, they squeezed their wedding ceremony appointment at the Franklin County Courthouse into their schedules on their lunch breaks!

Their two children, Katie and Jeremy, were the lights of Jerry's life. He was a devoted father and primary caretaker as Sarah began her medical practice in the 1990s, and he continued supporting and encouraging them until he drew his last breath.

Jerry was an audiophile and jazz aficionado, attending many concerts and festivals, and sharing his knowledge and love of music with friends and family.

He worked as a building contractor, specializing in fine woodworking. When a 200+ year old homestead in Leyden was up for sale, his professional curiosity was fired up by the prospect of restoring the home. Sarah and Jerry bought the property, where restoring the house and barns in a historically accurate way became one of Jerry's grand passions in life.

Upon moving to Leyden, Jerry became deeply involved with public service, holding numerous positions in Leyden Town Government and the Franklin Regional Council of Governments (FRCOG).

Jerry was a fierce and compassionate advocate for people with Substance Use Disorder (SUD), serving on multiple local, regional and statewide organizations dedicated to prevention, intervention, treatment and recovery.

He is predeceased by his parents Jeremiah and Mary Jean Lund, and his wife Dr. Sarah Kemble.

Jerry is survived by his children Katharine (Katie) Kemble-Lund and Jeremiah (Jeremy) Kemble-Lund; his siblings John Lund, Mary Mortensen and their families; his mother-in-law Joan Kemble, and sisters-in-law Martha Kemble, Jennifer Gitberg and Rebecca Kemble and their families, as well as his beloved cats Ebony, Jazzy and Marley.

He is also survived by untold numbers of friends, community members and colleagues in the SUD field, whose lives have been transformed by his work and care.

We are all bereft by his absence.

In lieu of sending flowers please donate to the Community Health Center of Franklin County chcfc.org or Learn2Cope.org in Jerry's memory.

A celebration of life will be held in the Spring/Summer of 2025.