Jerome "Jerry" David Girsch

Jerome 'Jerry' David Girsch age 79, of Hinsdale, IL and Bonita Springs, FL. Beloved husband of 52 years to Linda (nee Mizwicki). Loving father of five children: Bradley (Elizabeth Krueger), Rebecca, Michael (Kelly Meyer), Gregory (Katlyn Humphrey), and Leslie; incredibly caring Papa to 10 grandchildren: William, Tate, Addison, Eleanor, Claire, Celia, Thomas, Henry Jerome, John and Lucille; loyal brother to Charles 'Bill,' Robert, and Nena; and favorite uncle and cousin to many. Predeceased by his parents Charles 'Bud' and Marina (nee Hafner) Girsch, and brother John. Jerry was a proud Southsider growing up in the Beverly neighborhood and attending St. Barnabas. He went on to graduate high school from Archbishop Quigley Preparatory Seminary and spent a very short time at Mundelein Seminary before calling his Dad to be picked up – something his wife and children remain grateful for to this day. He enrolled at Loyola University (IL) where he majored in Accounting and met many lifelong friends. After graduation, he was hired as an auditor for Arthur Anderson where he met the love of his life, a receptionist from the Northside named Linda Mizwicki. One of Jerry's main accounts was Waste Management and his hard work and affable personality led Waste to hire him in 1976 where he began an impressive career as a 'garbage man' with colleagues who became family. Jerry moved his family to Hinsdale at that time to be closer to Waste's Oak Brook offices and he & Linda became lifelong Hinsdaleans embracing the village, as well as the amazing families and memories at St. Isaac Jogues school and parish. He retired from Waste at age 50, but quickly transitioned to another successful career with LKQ - where he was able to schedule his meetings around his tee times. Jerry was a devout Catholic who typically attended Mass multiple times a week and, with Linda, generously supported the Catholic mission through St. Isaac's, Benet Academy, DePaul, Notre Dame and LINK Unlimited, among others. He gave back to the community through his service to the Knights of Columbus and his work on the Board of Directors at DePaul and LINK. Jerry was an avid sports fan who rooted passionately for his White Sox and Notre Dame football. Jerry loved nothing more than a fall Notre Dame Saturday: listening to the band, visiting the Grotto, tailgating with friends and family and celebrating postgame Mass in the Engineering Building. He also had the foresight to secure Bulls season tickets shortly after they drafted Michael Jordan enabling the Girsch family and their friends to enjoy hundreds of memorable games at the Chicago Stadium and United Center. Jerry and Linda enjoyed traveling the globe together, but were most fulfilled when visiting their grandchildren and proudly watching them compete in whatever sport or activity was on the schedule. Since 2001, they have split their time between Hinsdale and Bonita Bay where they met a whole new group of incredible friends in retirement. Jerry loved golf - regularly playing with friends at Ruth Lake, Butterfield and Bonita Bay; but also taking his mid-20s handicap to legendary courses in Augusta, Scotland and Ireland. He loved music and dancing - never missing an opportunity to blast his favorite 'Proud Mary' or Neil Diamond tune for all to enjoy. Jerry lived mainly by a couple of simple mantras: "Life is Good!" and "It's Great to be a Girsch!" His impact on those who knew him is immeasurable and his legacy will last for generations.

Visitation: Friday, January 31st from 3:00 - 8:00 PM at Sullivan's Funeral Home (60 S Grant St. in Hinsdale, IL 60521)

Funeral Mass: Saturday, February 1st at 10:00 AM at St. Isaac Jogues (421 S. Clay in Hinsdale, IL 60521) followed by private Burial (family only) and Luncheon for family and friends at Butterfield Country Club (2800 Midwest Rd. in Oak Brook 60523)

Funeral Mass will be live streamed at https://sij.net/

A Remembrance Service will be held in Bonita Springs, FL this Spring at a date to be shared.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a gift in Jerry's memory to: LINK Unlimited Scholars or Congregation of the Mission - The Vincentian Western Province
Registry Book can be signed online by clicking here To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Jerome 'Jerry', please visit our floral store.