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Jerome Klein Obituary

After a long illness, Jerome Klein passed away peacefully at the Norwalk Hospital on October 4, 2009.

A long time resident of Norwalk, Jerry, as he was known by everyone, was born on January 16, 1930, in Bronx, N.Y. to Jack and Lillian Klein. A graduate of Stamford High School in 1947, he attended Pace University and then served in the United States Army for two years. Upon completion of his tour in the army, he followed his passion for business, working for a beauty supply company.

After he married Arlene Saperstein of Norwalk he vigorously and enthusiastically pursued his career with Arlene in the toy business at Kiddytown where it originally was located on West Ave. They eventually bought the business after it moved to Wall Street where it became a beloved institution in Norwalk. Kiddytown grew and flourished for the 40 years it operated until the Kleins closed the business in 1995. Called “The Real Santa Claus”' by Richard Fuller, the former director of the Carver Center, Jerry and his wife gave thousands of toys each holiday season to the likes of the Norwalk Community Health Center, The Norwalk and Stamford Police Departments, The Vitam Center, The George Washington Carver Foundation and Americares. “There wouldn't have been a Christmas in Norwalk for a lot of poor kids if it hadn't been for the generosity of the Kleins,” Mr. Fuller had said some years ago.

In addition to his seven day a week schedule of owning and operating a business, Jerry found time to serve the community in many ways. He served on the board of directors for the Carver Center, Vitam, Norwalk Community College, Temple Shalom and the Jewish Home for the Elderly.

He served as a commissioner for the Norwalk Transit District, was an active member for a number of years on the Norwalk Chamber of Commerce and was a member of the Governor's Select Committee for the Connecticut State Lottery Commission. Jerry worked closely with the Norwalk Police Department on their “Toys for Guns Program” which encouraged people to turn in their guns for toys. Most recently, he served as President of Beth Israel Synagogue of Westport/Norwalk.

A vibrant and dynamic man, Jerry enjoyed spending time playing poker with his buddies, having an animated political discussion, or traveling to far off places; Jerry was in love with life. As much as he loved being a businessman and helping the community, his greatest love was his family. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Arlene, three daughters, Helene Rosenthal and husband Ken, Lesley Cooper and husband Ron and their children, Jerry's grandchildren, Jacob, Julie and Charlotte, and Michelle Holman and her husband Craig, and a brother Morton Klein of Stamford.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, October 6, 2009, at Beth Israel Synagogue of Westport/Norwalk, located at 40 King St., Norwalk, at 1:00 p.m. The family will be receiving guests after the service and on Wednesday & Thursday evenings, October 7 & 8 from 6:30 – 8 p.m.

Donations can be made to the Jerome L. Klein Hebrew School Children's Fund of Beth Israel Synagogue, 40 King Street, Norwalk, CT 06851 (203) 866-0531. To view or leave condolences, please visit www.collisfh.com.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Hour on Oct. 6, 2009.

Memories and Condolences
for Jerome Klein

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RON REEKSTIN

October 8, 2009

ARLENE AND FAMILY

IT WAS A REAL JOY TO WORK FOR JERRY.I WILL NEVER FORGET HIM.MY PRAYERS ARE WITH THE ENTIRE FAMILY.

Roz & Harvey Berger

October 8, 2009

Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.

sharon woods

October 7, 2009

Arlene and family,
I just heard about the loss of Jerry. I am so sorry, my memories of Jerry are so many happy ones. Working at Kiddytown was the best, he called me "coach", He was a unbelievable man, what a boss, he was more like a father, friend to all of his employees. I will never forget him, he was a gentleman and I know a great father to all of his girls, he will be missed.........what great memories he has given so many people. I love you Jerry and will miss you.
love sharon woods

October 7, 2009

Dear Arlene and family,
We are so sorry to hear about Jerry. Our memories go back decades, and we sure did have some wonderful times together.
May you happy memories give you strength during this difficult time.

Love,
Arlene and Ray Mittenthal

October 7, 2009

Dear Arlene, Morty and entire Klein Family,

Barbara and I send our deepest condolences to you all at this time of rememberance of Jerry and his life. When we think of Jerry we think of the "trundle bed" that has been part of our family memories for so many years. A truly gentle family man and friend. He will be long remembvered and missed.

With our love,

Buddy and Barbara Bennett

Pam Katz

October 6, 2009

Dear Arlene and family,

Our deepest sympathies to all of you.

With love,

Pam, Jeff, Daniel, Jonathan and Bryan Katz

Dodi McCollem

October 6, 2009

For all the Kleins, Frank and I are truly sorry for your loss of Uncle Jerry, he is someone who will be in our thoughts always. He was a gentle giant. Love Dodi

October 6, 2009

Dear Lesley,

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. May you find peace and comfort in all the wonderful things your father did.

With deepest sympathy,
Diana Skidmore O'Marra

Mindy (Berger) Mora

October 6, 2009

Dear Arlene, Helene, Lesley and Michelle: Our deepest sympathies on the loss of your husband and father. We have such fond memories of Jerry coming to our home during Toy Show to pick up our father, Stuart, on the way to New York, and making everyone laugh with his jokes and gentle teasing. Jerry was truly a bigger than life personality, and the testimony of his generosity is the list of his community involvement and giving you included in his obituary. Arlene, you were truly lucky to have over 50 years to spend with your soulmate. We hope your memories of Jerry sustain you during your mourning. We know that our father, Stuart Berger, is welcoming Jerry to heaven so they can play some cards and kibbitz with eath other.

All our love,

Mindy (Berger) Mora and Deena (Berger) Brodie

Gary Klein

October 6, 2009

We love you Uncle Jerry. You were a great uncle, father, husband, and community leader.

Love, Allison, Gary Noah, and Rachael

Maureen Bossone

October 6, 2009

For the Klein Family

I was driving to work this morning and heard on the radio of Jerry's passing. I was born and raised in Norwalk and Jerry gave me my first job back in 1965 at Kiddytown. He was a good man, very fair to work for and always made us laugh. As I aged and had children of my own and shopped at Kiddytown, Jerry would always remember me. He remembered eveyone, maybe not by name but by face. Even at the busiest times, Christmas, he always took that extra minute to speak with you. My deepest consolences, as the lost of this man is sad to everyone who knew him.

Laura Davis

October 6, 2009

Dear Aline & Family,
So sorry to hear about Jerry, know you are in my thoughts & prayers. He was a giving man & will be missed.
SINCERELY
LAURA

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