Norfolk—Gerald “Jerry” Petock, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend passed away after a long illness.
The son of the late Herman and Dora Petock, Jerry was born on Sept. 17, 1931 in Portsmouth, Va.
He graduated from Wilson High School and attended Richmond Polytechnical Institute. He spent a long career with Brenner Companies managing Tidewater Disposal and later formed JNT Corporation with his brother. He was also a longtime volunteer at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital and served on the board of the Beth Sholom Home.
Until his passing, he was surrounded by friends, family, and his caring and loving wife of 52 years.
He is survived by his wife Judy Seldes Petock and by his adoring and devoted daughters and sons-in-law, Amy and David Nisenson of Richmond, Va. and Mindy and Art Bloom of Winston-Salem, N.C.
Jerry was the heart of a large extended family and what he loved most was being “Poppy” to his beloved grandson Daniel Nisenson and granddaughters Stacey Nisenson and Austin Bloom. He is also survived by his brother and sisterin- law Norman and Selma Petock and sister and brother-in-law Edward and Sara Rosenbaum. He was a treasured cousin, uncle, and great uncle and he loved to visit with members of the family.
He grew up in Gomley Chesed Synagogue in Portsmouth and spent the last 25 years at Ohef Sholom Temple. Jerry knew no limits when it came to showing affection for his family and he generously shared stories and reminiscences with everyone. He had a keen sense of humor and everyone who knew him felt his warmth and kindness. He will be missed by his many friends and extended family.
Funeral services were held in the Norfolk Chapel of H.D. Oliver Funeral Apts. Burial followed at Forest Lawn Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to Jewish Women International, 2000 M Street, NW, Suite 720, Washington, DC 20036, (800) 343-2823, jwi.org, or Hadassah, 50 W. 58th Street, New York, NY 10019, (866) 229- 2395, Hadassah.org.
H.D. Oliver Funeral Apts. Online condolences at hdoliver.com.