Virginia Beach—Gerald Marvin Bazar passed away peacefully at home on August 7, 2021, at the age of 77.
He was born in Providence, Rhode Island to his parents Meyer (Mickey) and Bella (Barbara) Bazar, both of blessed memory. At the age of three, his parents moved the family to Norfolk. They lived in the Ghent area and he attended Taylor Elementary School. The family later moved to the Wards Corner area where he graduated from Granby High School. Jerry continued his education at Old Dominion University and graduated with a degree in business from Bryant College in Providence.
During his last two years at Bryant, Jerry married Ronda Goldberg of Norfolk. They started their life together, completing their education, skiing, and spending time with the extremely close knit Bazar family in Providence. After graduation, they moved back to Norfolk where Jerry joined the family business, Bazar, Inc., a company representing manufacturers to the U.S. military exchanges. He later started his company, World Wide Sales, Inc., where he worked until retirement at age 58.
Shortly after moving back to Norfolk with Ronda, Jerry started a hobby that would last his entire life, showing and breeding Afghan hounds. While traveling around the world for business and pleasure, he met people with Afghans. He began breeding and showing his dogs all over the U.S., gaining much recognition for his knowledge of the breed and showing multiple champion dogs. His greatest joy was showing his champion Casbar Sugar-N-Spice at the Westminster Kennel Club Show in New York. Jerry belonged to many organizations involving his dogs. He was a member of the American Kennel Club, Tidewater Afghan Hound Club and the Tidewater Kennel Club.
Jerry and Ronda were blessed with two wonderful sons, Jason Samuel Bazar and Darin Jacob Bazar. He loved teaching them to ski and traveling with them, sharing with them exciting places and experiences. Such joy filled his heart when the boys each got married and when Jason and his wife, Dee Ann Dorsey, gave him his grandson, Evan Dorsey Bazar. They could not have enriched his life more.
Family and friends were important to Jerry and he always looked for an opportunity to entertain and enjoy the home he and Ronda lived in together for 48 years. Jerry leaves behind his wife of 55 years, Ronda, his son Darin, his son Jason and his wife Dee Ann, and grandson Evan. Jerry also leaves behind his dear sister Ellen Harris and her husband Jonathan, and nieces and nephews that all gave him much joy.
Many thanks to all his friends and family who helped him deal with cancer this last year and a half. Words cannot be expressed to our dear and treasured friend, Tracee Elwess, for always being there for Jerry. They have spent many years not only as friends but as partners in showing and owning Afghans. Special thanks also to Freda H. Gordon Hospice & Palliative Care of Tidewater for their great assistance.
Donations may be made to the American Cancer Society or another charity of choice.
A graveside service was held at Forest Lawn Cemetery with Rabbi Roz Mandelberg and Cantor Jen Rueben officiating. A live stream of this service can be viewed by visiting Gerald Bazar’s obituary at altmeyerfh.com.