RUSSEM- Jerome George
96, of Andover. Entered Eternal Rest June 23, 2015. Born in Lawrence, MA on June 17, 1919, he was the beloved husband of Margery Asher Russem. They celebrated 62 years of marriage on February 22nd. Jerry will be missed dearly by his wife, his son Andy and daughter-in-law Marianne, his daughters Julie and Jackie, his five grandchildren whom he adored: Zach, Jake, Nina, Asher and Dora, his sister Norma Cohen and brother-in-law Lester and his sister-in-law Lenore Asher and many nieces, nephews and close relatives. Jerry was the son of the late Benjamin and Esther Russem. He was predeceased by his brother Theodore Russem and sister-in-law Florence and his brother-in-law Norman Asher. Jerry attended the University of Michigan and Boston University Law School, which was interrupted by his service during WWII in the Army Air Corps. He spent over 50 years working in the family business, Russem’s, a well-known women’s clothing department store in Lawrence, Methuen and Andover. Jerry bought sportswear, trimmed displays inside and out including the huge Essex Street windows and designed newspaper ads by hand. He spent many productive hours in his office in the crowded 3rd floor stock room. Jerry was very active in the life of Temple Emanuel. He was a long time Board Member, served as President and was co-chair of the committee that raised the funds to build the Temple building on Haggetts Pond Road in Andover when the congregation moved from Tower Hill in Lawrence. He was Vice President of The Greater Lawrence Chamber of Commerce and President of Intown. He was also an incorporator of Lawrence Savings Bank, a Mason and served on the board of a community mental health organization. Jerry enjoyed skiing with his family, golfing, tennis and playing show tunes on the piano and singing with his daughters. Later in life, he was a regular at the Cedardale pool and then the YMCA. Jerry was an incredibly sweet man; kind, thoughtful, philanthropic, hardworking and very loving. The end of his long life will leave a void in the heart of everyone who knew and loved him including family, friends, neighbors, employees and many, many former customers of Russem’s as well as the compassionate staff of Academy Manor in Andover and Life Choice Hospice. Services will be held at Temple Emanuel, 7 Haggetts Pond Road (off Route 133) Andover Thursday, June 25th at 2:00 pm. Interment in Lawrence. Memorial observance will be at the Russem residence in Andover on Thursday until 9:00 pm and Friday from 2:00 – 5:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Benjamin and Esther Russem Family Education Fund at Temple Emanuel, the Academy Manor Resident Council Fund 89 Morton Street, Andover, MA 01810 or to a charity of your choice.