Obituary of Jerry Sarnoff

We are overwhelmed with gratitude and blessings that Jerry Sarnoff was such a presence in our lives but announce his passing with great sadness. Jerry was raised in Brooklyn to immigrant parents fleeing persecution in eastern Europe. He grew up in poverty and started working at the age of nine shining shoes and selling newspapers. He continued to work in various jobs until he graduated high school. At the age of 21, he married his adoring wife Lorraine, the love of his life. They were married two months shy of 65 years, raised four children, Wendy, Mark (Susan), Debra (Bill) and David (Paige), and had six grandchildren, Lindsey, Jason (fiancé Kim), Andrew, Jordan, Carly and Bella, who were the absolute joy of his life. While he held many jobs, he was most recognized for spending 30 years, from the 1950s to the 1980s, as a Seltzerman in the Bronx and Manhattan where he delivered seltzer, soda, syrups and beer to houses and apartments six days a week, 12 to 14 hours a day in the rain, snow, heat and cold. He overcame significant obstacles including being the victim of a hit and run in the early 1970s where both of his legs were broken. He was out of work for a year and fought his way back to work on the seltzer truck. After selling his business, he worked full time as a deliveryman for a plumbing supply company until he was 83 years old. Jerry was an incredibly loving, compassionate, empathetic and caring man. He believed the most important thing in his life was his family, especially his grandchildren. He rarely asked for anything and only wanted to help others. He did countless good deeds throughout his life, including for people he did not even know. His family adored him, and he had a life rich in friends and extended family. He was truly one of the great ones and will live on in our hearts and memories forever. If you would like to make a donation, in memory of Jerry Sarnoff please do so to https://vnahg.org/giving/ VNA Englewood Hospital