Jerry was never the news story; he was always the storyteller. And then ALS entered his life.

Jerry during his decades long career as a writer/news producer at CBS News wrote thousands of news stories. ALS was certainly not the story he would have written for himself nor for anyone else. Upon his diagnosis, family and friends all commented that Jerry being the good guy that he had always been, did not deserve this disease. But rather than complain, Jerry, the master of taking the high road, simply said, “No one deserves ALS.”

And Jerry refused to let ALS be his story. Jerry’s story was a life filled with integrity, deep relationships with people in his life, and a fierce love of his family. Jerry lived what he would have described as a simple life, but for those of us who knew and loved him, it was a rich life. He prioritized people, memories, over stuff. He spent his life letting the people lucky
enough to be in it, know how he felt about them.

As ALS ravaged his body, his concerns continued to be the impact it was having on his family, his wife Kim, and children Jackie, Kati and Brian. ALS faced an army of people who loved Jerry and were there to help. But there was only so much that army could do.

When Compassionate Care ALS entered Jerry’s story it was like a weight had been lifted. CCALS provided much needed practical support including equipment and supplies enabling Jerry to stay in his home, but even more importantly, it provided human support. Someone to talk to who understood the incomprehensible.

Tackle ALS is a fundraiser in Jerry’s memory in support of an organization whose support, guidance and compassion is provided free of charge to families facing an unbearable challenge. And there is no higher road than that.