Jerome A. Doornek Obituary
Jerome A. "Jerry" Doornek, of Menomonee Falls, passed away peacefully with friends, family, and loving caregivers by his side on Thursday, December 29, 2022, at the age of 71.
Jerry was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on April 12, 1951, to the late John and Doris Doornek. His seven siblings include Jim (Louise) Doornek, Kathleen (Gerry) Gelhaar, Jeanne (Fred) Braby, Dan (Maureen) Doornek, Carol (the late Scott) Croegaert, Dave Doornek, and Pat (Ellen Riley) Doornek. Rumor is he was mom's favorite! He had many nieces and nephews.
Jerry and Claudine were married under a rare blue moon on June 30, 1996. They loved each other, although he became the "love of her life" over the years and especially since his diagnosis of Parkinsons in 2009. Jerry died on Claudine's birthday, giving her the gift of slow, gentle breathing and the presence of grace.
He was a stepfather to Jason (Nicole) Fernhaber and Ethan (Stephanie) Fernhaber, and was dearly known as "Jerry" to his eleven grandchildren: Marissa, Alex, Angelica, Victor, Teddy, Kate, Elena, Jace, Claire, Ava, Valerie, as well as one great-granddaughter, Ivy Jean.
Jerry went to elementary school at St. Catherine of Alexandria and graduated from Brown Deer High School in 1969. He served in the National Guard from 1971 to 1977 where he excelled in Vehicle Mechanics. Jerry worked for a moving company (which provided him with valuable packing skills used throughout life) and was the first manager in Milwaukee for the Batesville Casket Company.
He earned his Juris Doctor degree in 1983 from the University of Wisconsin Law School. During his career as an attorney whose practice was in the Greater Milwaukee Area, with a concentration on family law. He always appeared in court well prepared. Jerry was known by both his colleagues and clients as a strong, fair, and effective advocate for each of the many individuals who sought his professional service. He was respected for his insightful advice and legal acumen along with his calm professionalism in handling difficult life situations and cases.
Others would describe Jerry as the smartest person they knew. He was a great listener and would always take time before offering a response (even as a child). He was frugal but never cheap, a wise investor, and meticulous about his car and home. He was nonjudgmental, quiet, kind, and trustworthy. He never spoke badly about anyone or bragged. He had a great sense of humor and seemed to enjoy making others laugh. He was described more recently as an unexplainably special person.
Jerry was a cherished friend to Steve, Rick, Tommy, Chuck, Phil, and Greg since childhood and added Jon and Sandra to that list some years later. Tom M. and Jerry met while playing racquetball and became law partners and lasting friends. Jerry and friends enjoyed playing softball, racquetball, frisbee golf, ping pong, darts, biking, and going fishing whenever he could (his favorite spot was Lake Winnebego; he was an expert fish cleaner.). He took pride in his athleticism, yet he was never ashamed of the effects Parknsons had on his body. His strength continued to the end of his life, especially his hand grip. His ability to surprise you by standing up and walking without assistance lasted well into his last weeks.
More recently, Bill, who initially was a volunteer, also became Jerry's friend visiting every Thursday (which remarkably was almost always good weather to walk in). Clearly, Thursdays were good days for Jerry, as he also had lunch with sister Carol and visits from Faith for music therapy. In fact, Jerry died on a Thursday.
Jerry had an eclectic taste in music and David Byrne was his favorite. He listened all the time. How much he loved it became more and more evident over the years. He danced with caregivers. He would arm dance when he couldn't stand. When he couldn't arm dance during the last day or two before he died, his breath was in sync with the music.
Jerry was a committed YMCA member and ultimately a Big and Loud Parkinsons exercise group member. There he was blessed with a group leader, Erica, who was likely his first support person in living with Parkinsons. Dr. Paul Nausieda brilliantly contributed to Jerry's quality of life not only with medication but by practicing the art of medicine. Jerry strongly believed in medicine and science and in fact donated his brain for Pakinsons research.
Maureen G. started as a caregiver for Jerry and has since become family. For over three years, Maureen loved and laughed with Jerry. Her care and presence enhanced his quality of life and supported his ability to accept and live with his disease, during most of those last challenging years. Thank you, Maureen. Also thank you Ellen, Marnie and Takira. Over the past year, Natalie, Cassidy, Nicole, Gemma, Caroline, Hope, Sonia, Caroline, Q, Veronica, Mike, Marcus, and Susan, thank you.
Jerry was more than a patient to his caregivers, as he enriched the lives of everyone he touched with his determination, humor, curiosity and desire to clean and fix things! Jerry was well-loved by Lulu and Daisy, the two cats he picked out during a trip to the Humane Society. They took turns sleeping next to him in his final years at home.
A service to celebrate Jerry's life is planned for 12Noon on Jan. 21, 2023, at the United Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 506 N. Washington Ave., Waukesha, WI 53188. Visitation will be held from 10AM until the time of the service. Burial to follow at St. Catherine of Alexandria Cemetery.
