Jerome Frank Murkowski

Left this life on the evening of July 30 after announcing to his nurse that he was going to heaven to jitterbug with his wife. Jerry was born on April 9, 1921, on the lower east side of Milwaukee. He attended St. Hedwig's Catholic grade school and was an all-city basketball player and thespian at Lincoln High School. At the time of his death, Jerry was still in touch with his childhood friends from Brady Street. Jerry fought courageously for his country in World War II as a tail gunner in the China-Burma-India theatre. Achieving the rank of staff sergeant, Jerry was discharged from the Army Air Corps in 1945 and returned to his job at Wisconsin Bell Telephone Company, where he proudly worked for 42 years. Jerry met Irene Kozlowski in the Spring of 1946, fell in love with her on the very first day they met, and married her five months later. They enjoyed life together as husband and wife for over 55 years. Jerry and Irene raised four children together. He was a devoted husband and loving father. He was active in the Men's Usher Society at Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church, where he also served as president of the Home and School Association. In 1953, Jerry received the AT&T Theodore Vail Memorial Citation for heroism for saving the life of a neighbor after a gas explosion. Enjoying a lifelong love of sports, Jerry was the Army Air Corps singles and doubles champion in tennis while serving in Hangchow, China, and later officiated high school football and basketball games for over two decades. He played league golf, softball and bowling for many years. Always comfortable with a microphone in his hand, "Big Jer" frequently served as master of ceremonies at telephone company events and charity and fundraising activities for the Telephone Pioneers of America. Jerry was the life of every party and was loved by everyone who knew him. Everyone who met Jerry became his friend. Jerry made the Village of Manor Park his home for the past seven years, where he received excellent and loving care from the staff. Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, loving wife Irene, and his sister Marcia. He is survived by his son, Dr. Kenneth Murkowski, daughter Karen Murkowski, daughter and son-in-law Kathy Murkowski and John Geiger, son and daughter-in-law the Honorable David Murkowski and Diane Goller, grandchildren Meaghan Murkowski, Erik Murkowski, Kristen Murkowski, Kenneth Murkowski, Katherine Murkowski, Jack Geiger, Anne Murkowski, and Stephen Geiger, and other family members and many beloved friends. Funeral Mass will be Saturday August 8, 2009 9:30 AM at OUR LADY QUEEN OF PEACE CHURCH (3222 S. 29th St). PLEASE MEET AT CHURCH ON SATURDAY. Private entombment Mt. Olivet Cemetery. The family will receive visitors at the Max A. Sass and Sons Greenridge Chapel on Friday, August 7, 2009, from 4:30 to 7 PM. A military ritual will take place at 6:45 PM by the Bell Telephone Post #427. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Manor Park Foundation, 3023 S. 84th St., West Allis, WI, 53227, for resident activities.