January 1st, 2024 would have been Jerry's 73rd birthday. Last night at 12:01, we toasted the New Year and Jerry. Caryn, Matt and I miss him greatly. In many ways he is so alive in our hearts. We have many wonderful memories of Christmas together with him. That softens the loss a bit. Blessings to all in 2024!

I miss Gerry so much. I hope this next year brings your family love and peace
Dennita

Tonight we were catching fireflies. Caryn said laughingly, "Maybe all the fireflies are sent from Dad to keep an eye on us!" I hope!

We miss him no less now than when he passed from this world four years ago today. It's still amazing to me how he is still so conscious and real to us in our daily lives. 

Our family is blessed with so many good memories of our time together. Like the time he was driving us to our favorite ice cream place, Biggins on the Portage Lakes. He was going a bit too fast, slammed on the brakes while turning the wheel then slid on the gravel sideways into the parking lot yelling... "Yee haw! What a ride!"

And yes, now there are sad and tearful times knowing we cannot see him in this life again.
But while he was here, he enriched our lives with fun and laughter and the strongest love. 

Then he slid into death sideways, worn out and screaming... "Woo Hoo! What a ride!" (George Carlin on a well lived life.)

God's blessings upon you all. 

Mr. C taught my daughter Aubrey so many things besides music- how to have fun while working hard, what it means to be committed to success and how to encourage and support those who are important to us. I am so grateful that Aubrey was guided by such a wonderful teacher. I am so sorry for your loss- I know some time has past, but he will never be forgotten. His legacy reaches beyond his immediate family to all the many students he directed. Thinking of his family on this day -praying- and remembering Mr.C . Karen Tate

Every once in awhile something reminds me that Jerry might have visited. Such as today, while sitting on the deck there wasn't a breath of air stirring. Suddenly there was a whirlwind of a breeze that picked up our nine foot umbrella and put it on the roof. So, I said, "Now how am I going to get that down." Another whoosh of air and it flew off the roof and into the back yard!" 

On this day three years ago Jerry passed from this life to the next. Our family still mourns his death. There remains a "Jerry sized" hole in our lives. It is comforting to know that he lives on in our hearts and those of students and friends too many to count. Matthew, Caryn and I continue to make new memories. Please pray for Matthew. He misses his dad so much but does not understand why his dad isn't here. Blessings to all of you.

January 1st, 2022, another new year with out Jerry. We celebrated his birthday. We will always love him and miss him. We will always feel Jerry's love. Carolyn, Caryn and Matt.

On this 2nd anniversary of your death to this world, we miss you Jerry. Our tears fall like rain.
Matt is saying, "Dad is gone" as he repeats often every day. All our lives are missing your love, enthusiasm and joy of life. Your friends have been so supportive and caring. We are blessed by knowing so many of them.  Comfort comes to us in the memories the children and I have and our continuing great love we share with you. I picture you in heaven being joyously happy with students, band parents, our church members, friends and relatives that have passed. All my love to you my husband and best friend.

Happy Heavenly Birthday Mr. C. Miss you beyond words. 

Happy birthday, Jerry. I remember you were always thankful that you never had to spend your actual birthday in school because you knew we would pull out all of the stops.

Happy Birthday Jerry. You are in my thoughts so often.

Raise a glass and say a toast to Jerry on his 70th birthday, January 1st, 2021. We miss him dearly. Our family carries on but with a huge Jerry-sized hole in it. Best wishes to all family and friends for 2021.

Carolyn, Caryn & Matt,
I remember Gerry when I used to come over to have sleepovers and music/movie nights with Caryn as a kid. He was such a fun, larger than life presence. I will never forget what a kind man he was. It was very clear how much he loved his family. I am so sorry for your loss. Thinking of all of you guys!

Corinna

Mrs. C, thinking of you and your family on this difficult day! I think of Mr. C often, especially this past year. Thank you for sharing him with so many of us throughout the years!

Best wishes and prayers!

Lynne Fisher

This has been a week of tears and laughter remembering Jerry.  He is alive in our hearts but we miss his presence. Our house has echoed hourly with Matt's words, "Dad is gone." Sometimes he says it in a questioning voice and then we talk about Dad in heaven. We are strong. We are still standing. We cry. We laugh. That is what he would want...to end in laughter when thinking of him. Carolyn, Caryn and Matthew Carasea

Christmas and New Year's 2020 was a lot quieter than the past holidays. We miss Jerry dearly. We remembered the past and made new memories for the future. Our tree topper this year is his hat. We left the Christmas lights on all night New Year' Eve and today as we always did. Today, on his birthday, we will keep a candle lit all day.  Tonight I will have a cigar and Wild Turkey on the deck like we always used to celebrate. It was a contest to see who stayed out the longest before one of us got too cold. I think he will be winning from here out. So, raise a toast to 2020 and Jerry's birthday.  Mrs. C.

I knew Jerry through my relationship with one of his friends. We had some really good times! One of my favorites was when we went to the Haunted Laboratory in Akron! We reached a point where the steps were an open grate style! He was terrified to go down them! All the scary stuff we saw and it was the steps that got him! I attended his and Carolyn’s wedding where I caught the bouquet! What a beautiful and fun evening! Jerry’s dad trying to teach me to polka! I lost touch with them as often happens. But I thought of Jerry and Carolyn often and hoped all was well. My deepest sympathy to the family. I will always remember what a wonderful person Jerry was and feel honored to have called him my friend.

When my parents finally agreed to upgrade me from my original, used, beater alto saxophone, Mr. C. personally tested and hand-picked a brand-new Yamaha for me to make sure I got the the best one they could afford. Later that year I was able to score a college music scholarship that more than balanced out the cost of the instrument itself. He knew. I will always be grateful for how he pushed me, encouraged me, taught me, and gave me opportunities others hadn't before him. And I will always think of him every time I pick up my Yamaha. Thank-you, Mr. C. 

Jerry was a friend, mentor and colleague to me. He was one of my first customers starting out in the music business. While he was not technically my “teacher” he was one of the greatest teachers I’ve ever had. He had so much wisdom and perspective on life and obstacles that come up along the way.

I’ll never forget a time when we were helping kids try instruments to select for band and there was a girl that couldn’t make a sound on anything. We were also left with the impression that she probably didn’t have a great home life either. As soon as she walked away, he turned to me and said “Jerr (his nickname for me), that girl needs band.” Jerry realized me that being in band is so much more than making music. That, along with his talent and work ethic, is undoubtedly why he had decades of success as a band director.

Jerry was so much fun to work with and he was always willing to lend a helping hand to anyone in need. Along with the jokes and stories he had, one of my favorite things was how he would swear in Italian and just assume I understood (I didn’t, but went along with it).

I still can’t believe he is gone and miss him so much. I consider myself lucky to have had him in my life.

I’m so sad to have lost my high school band director and mentor Mr.C. I was just talking with my mom about him before we heard the news reminiscing about my younger years and how he would be happy to hear that I’m taking on a bigger role in teaching band to more kids next year. He is the reason I became a music teacher and taught me more than he could ever know about music, teaching and life in general. Love you always and forever Mr, C. Go make Amanda Cook-Wickline play her saxophone for me

I was going to write this amazing post about an incredible man that somehow tolerated FOUR kids from my family going through a LOT of years of marching band. He taught me how to play euchre when I was in second grade and stuck at every home basketball game as my parents ran the concession stand to raise money for the band, he only laughed at me a little bit when I thought he was actually thinking about purchasing a horse at the Sweet Corn Festival because he said he "had to go see a man about a horse", and only a few years ago he unexpectedly walked through the door at my mom's calling hours. But as I read everyone's memories, I realized the best part about him was that he was able to make every single person feel exactly as special as he made me feel. That's a true testament to a great teacher and a great person.

As a fellow band director, I knew Jerry as a friend and colleague. He was always caring for his students, helpful to his peers, and a great person. He will be missed by so many.

I worked at Cloverleaf as Assistant Treasurer for 30 yrs. retiring in 1994. Mr. Carasea was a great guy and always had a joke. What a special tribute to him at the Lodi Corn Festival parade on Saturday, July 20, 2019. He will be missed.

Eloise Rice

When I first heard of Jerry’s passing I was totally shocked. I was not one of his students, his son Matt and my brother Robbie played in the same baseball league,Canton Challenger Baseball, on the Blue Jays. I knew he was a music teacher and played in bands but had no idea it was to the extent of what I read in the other comments. Matt hadn't played baseball in a few years but I still thought of him and Jerry often.

At the games Jerry and I would get to talking and somehow we got on the subject of Rock and Roll history. He told me he once taught a class on that,and from that point on we clicked. I even gave him my Keith Richards biography after I read it.

As all his past students have said, the guy was hilarious and a great storyteller. He told me he once played in a POLKA band that somehow got booked to play and Arab prince wedding by mistake! Obviously once they showed up the guy organizing the wedding was like “umm what?”. Jerry told me instead of getting flustered the guy pulled them aside, pulls out a big stack of $100 bills paid them what they would normally charge for a gig plus a little extra and told them to get outta there before anyone saw. Haha

Jerry will be in my thoughts this weekend as we have a baseball tournament coming up. If there is an event in his honor I will do my best to attend that. Please keep me updated.

God be with you Jerry (Mr.C), just like you were with us!

Thoughts and prayers to the Carasea family.

I guess it was 5th grade (about 1974-5) that I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Carasea, as I had decided to take up the trombone. I remember the lessons we got in the basement of Oakdale elementary school, in the room that once served as the cafeteria. There were several of us (brass took lessons at once). As I recall there was me, Tom Carrel (french horn), Jan Koster, Demayne Murphy (coronet) and a couple others. This one time we were learning to play the tune, "Joshua Fit the Battle of Jerico". It was an old time jazz piece, and I thought to spice it up with some syncopation (before I really knew what that was). Mr. Carasea stopped me mid-recital and asked, "What the heck is THAT, Koski?" I explained my intention and he gave that twisted smile, shook his head and retorted, "Your'e not good enough for that....yet!". At U.L. Light Junior high school, when contest approached, he used to write up a kind of prep guide telling us what to expect. He sprinkled in call-outs to various students (mostly the first chairs of their section) usually admonishing them to their best performance while poking polite fun at their eccentricities. They were a riot. I had saved one for many years, but sadly lost it. Mr. Carasea also once told me that one of his favorite compositions was Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue. I am listening to it now as I type this. Thank you Mr. Carasea, for the gift of music. You will not be forgotten.

Jerry,
  We were crazy buddies in college at IUP trying to grow up and get an education in music. It was fun getting back together here in Chicago after all these years. Save me a seat in your new sax section.
                                        Jerry DiMuzio (Chicago)

Disappointing Mr. C in high school was the worst feeling. When he knew we tried our best and it still didn't work, he was sad for us. When we didn't try and half-assed it, he got angry. Not because we were goofing off but because we didn't give it our all. Knowing he was disappointed stung. Two big moments I remember are when, after a year of marching as a saxophone, I decided to try out for flags. Within 5 minutes of putting my name on the tryout list, I had a hand around the back of my neck and a gruff voice in my ear. "Mundorff (he only remembered it when he was angry with me) if you try out for flags, you can forget ever playing in my band again. That includes concert band. You play an instrument so you march with an instrument. You have skills. Use them. Think about it." and he walked away. I immediately removed my name from the list and played clarinet my second year.
The second big moment is when I tried out for field commander at the end of my sophomore year. I didn't think I had a chance. I wasn't a favorite of his - he was always very serious with me and he used to say I 'just played clarinet'. I tried out anyway. There were three of us and I thought for sure he'd laugh at me for even trying. The day after tryouts, he came and got me in homeroom and asked me to go for a walk. I thought for sure he was going to give me the bad news somewhere in private so I could cry. He started out telling me how hard it is to be field commander and that it has to be someone he can rely on who he felt would do a good job. He said whoever was field commander would sometimes have to do things that might upset others. The field commander took his place on the field. He needed someone who would gain the respect of the entire band and he had to make sure that person could handle it. I almost started crying because I was sure the next sentence was going to be "and that's why I chose xx to be the next field commander. I'm sorry." But, strangely, his next sentence was "so D, what size boots do you wear? I have to get them ordered now. Oh and you'll be going to camp in July." I was in shock!! I hugged him and he laughed and he told me to go call my Mom.
I didn't have the silly and fun relationship with him that many others did. He was always serious with me. I never could figure out why. I didn't always agree with him and we'd have words but I always respected him. His word was final. He always knew when we could give more. We wanted to give more.
I wanted to be a Sprout so badly in Eighth Grade but I wasn't picked. But I was picked in Ninth Grade to go to the high school concert band for the year. All of us that were picked were told we would be last chair and we were not allowed to challenge to move up. I didn't care. I thought it was the most amazing honor! I learned so much plus I got to be in two concert bands at the same time and be in marching band. It was a great help in eventually becoming first chair my Senior year.
Band was the highlight of my high school 'career' and it is all because of Mr. C. Some called him gruff and hard on us. I always thought he did it because he knew we were better than what we thought. He saw the greatness in all of us and because of that, I believed in myself enough to at least tryout for field commander and it was one of the best things I ever did.
Thank you Mr. C. for being the guiding light that got most of us through school and gave us the skills to get through life.
RIP Mr. C!

Hugs, Sweat & Tears…Thanks to Mr. Winter and the CHS Band Alumni who marched with the CHS band in the Lodi Sweetcorn Festival Parade. Thanks for sharing your memories with me. The postings on this website are a great comfort. There will be a celebration of Mr. C’s life with the date to be announced.

I had the privilege of being in band with Mr.C for 5 years. 86-90. Mr. Herbst (?) pulled me aside after concert band one morning in 7th grade. Asked about me playing barry sax. And that's where Mr C comes in.... they needed a bass drummer for marching band the next year.... i agreed to try... then during early 8th grade, he came down from HS to see if I would b interested in playing barry sax in the jazz band.... I was very excited about jazz band, also a little nervous too. How was an 8th grader gonna b able to keep up with the HS guys.... He assures me I would do fine. And I did. He gave me encouragement to do things that I didn't think I could do. When I heard of his passing, I texted my sister, Lynne, and told her, she was in marching band for the 5 years before I started.... we both agreed that Mr C taught us, and ALOT of other kids, many more lessons than just music. He actually taught life lessons.... it took me years after school to realise that. But as many others said, he made us feel like we were more. Thank u Mr C. U will b greatly missed.

I remember the summer before 8th grade when Mr. C called me to ask if I wanted to join the marching band as a sprout. I was so excited and honestly I wouldn't have survived high school without the friends and connections in band and Marching Band. I tear up every time I reminisce on those days and the way he called me Ann instead of Roxy or Roxanne (neither of which are my name!) and how he made everyone feel like they could be a musician no matter what.

I had the pleasure of meeting Gerry at the bowling alley. He loved bringing Matt to bowl in the Casino league on Sunday nights. So sorry for the loss of a great man and father. You will be missed by all

I am so surprised and shocked to hear of Gerry's passing. I met Gerry when I was head band director at Highland High School in 1982-83. Gerry was a mentor teacher to me being friendly, supportive and very helpful. I looked to him and his work as an example of how to be a good teacher, conductor, musician and person. After I left Highland for Lakewood we remained friends and colleagues. I truly missed the support he gave me when I was in Medina County! God Bless you Gerry and my sympathies to his wife and family.

Dear mr C I will miss you terribly I remember you askkng me to give you my band book when I was dkne with it cause your werw fascinated by it. And I said I woukd. You were the one that encouraged me to ckntinue in band whem I was ready to give up you were thw first twacher I could consider a friend at cloverleaf. you will be missed terribly by all of us. Your truly Joseph Duplaga

I had the honor and privilege of working with Mr. C as a band mom for 12 years. When he retired, I thanked Carolyn for sharing him with all of us through all the years and I kidded that I felt like a second wife because of all the hours I put in at the school for the band program. I learned early on that you didn't organize his desk. He had his own form of organized chaos. He always knew where things were and could put his hands on what he was looking for in an instant.
We had three children go through the Cloverleaf band program. Our oldest marched from 9th through 11th grade and was in symphonic band from 9th through 12th grade. Our daughter started as a prop in 7th grade, then marched from 8th through 12th grade and also played in the symphonic band. Our youngest son started as a prop in 6th grade and started marching his 8th grade year. He marched 5 years and was also in symphonic band all those years. He was so impacted by Mr. C that he went back to college after getting a BS in psychology to get a teaching certificate for music education.
I am so glad to see that many of the posts share life lessons that Mr. C taught his students and peers. He truly cared about all of his students - even the frustrating ones - and treated them all alike. He did believe in making students strive to be better than they thought they could be. He always had the band room open Fridays after school before games so that students had somewhere to go when going home was not always an option. He made sure the band was always fed before a competition. He understood that each student was not perfect, he asked that they gave 100% and improved to the level that they didn't even realize they were able to reach. He did instill responsibility and commitment in all of his students. And they responded.
I know that when Cloverleaf finally gets an arts center, with an auditorium, Mr. C will be sitting in the front row enjoying the first concert.

It’s taken me a week or so to process this loss and the impact he had on me personally and on Cheryl Paul and I growing up together in Marching Band.
Mr C. was the most influential teacher I had in school. He believed in my talents before I knew I even had them and pushed me to do much more and take me out of my comfort zone. He gave me the lead solo in Shaft my sophomore year and convinced me to do solo and ensemble. I remember him picking the piece and saying this will be challenging but worth it (morceau symphonique). He stayed after school many times to help me perfect it. He then had me try out for the Cleveland Youth Wind Symphony and I used the same piece to audition - I went on to be selected and spent the next 3 years playing for them where we played multiple concerts a year at Severance Hall - an amazing experience I would have never had without him.
I will never forget after state competition we had received a 2 after a great performance and he came on the bus furious, “you guys were robbed out there, you played it perfect and those judges got it wrong, don’t you dare hang your heads” or something to that effect. If we had deserved the 2 he would have let us know it. He somehow had the ability to connect with each and everyone of us at a personal deep level - a true leader! He will be missed. RIP Mr. C!!

I’m truly saddened by this news...and also so honored to have spent 8 years learning and playing music with this man. I was the quiet one that he understood, and he pushed and challenged me in ways that were so important and that no other teacher has quite been able to do. He was the one I would stick around and continue to play for, whichever band or ensemble it may have been. He was a gift for so many students over the years. Amazing how hearing about this brings back so many memories. For us musicians, he was a gift. Rest easy Mr C, and thank you.

Tough.  Crazy tough.  The hot August days when we had to stand at attention, for days it seemed at times.  Discipline.  More discipline than I've asserted in my life thus far.....He was a perfect band director.  We were an amazing band.  All 4 years of my marching experience.  I would do it all again. I hadn't seen him since 88 when I graduated, but when I heard of his passing, I cried like it was yesterday.  I believe all who knew him are forever blessed. He knew how to make us all feel like winners, even when we had doubts.  I can only hope his legacy lives on though all of us whose lives he touched; in our own continuing pursuits of happiness, success in life, and love for the music.  I hope I can live up to half of the greatness he instilled in us.  God bless Mr. C, his family, and friends, and all of us who feel a hole had been left in the world now that he's gone....probably taking heaven's band to state.....with nothing but the highest honors.  Heaven will be better with him there, despite our earthly loss of such a powerful and graceful figure in our world.  Thank you Mr. C.  I know I'm a better man for having known your strength, and love for all of us.

I've had several teachers in my life. Few inspired like Gerald Carasea. His love for music was contagious. Edgy, creative, fun and caring...Mr C led our music department to new heights. What a ride! I am so glad to have been a part of his time at Cloverleaf. I was forever changed by knowing him. 
The world feels a bit darker today. We've lost a beautiful soul. Thank you, Mr C! Your music continues on in the hearts of many.

I am honored to have known Jerry for the last 26 years. When I was named band director at Highland High School in 1993, Jerry was the first band director to call and welcome me as a new Medina County director. He told me he knew my music library at Highland was lousy and that if I ever needed to borrow music from the Cloverleaf library or needed advice on anything music, I could call him. I always valued his friendship and how he looked after and mentored me as a 22 year old new director. One of my proudest moments as a band director was when Jerry told me my band sounded great (in my 9th year as a director). It meant so much because I knew he wouldn't have said that if he didn't mean it. After knowing each other for 15 years, I had the privilege of working with Jerry at Cloverleaf when I became the Cloverleaf superintendent. I could always count on Jerry for the truth-- unedited and without sugar-coating! I am so happy I got to experience the love he had for his students and the love they have for him-- first hand. Jerry was a true one-of-a-kind personality who will always hold a special place in my heart. I miss him!!!

Gerald and I first became acquainted in 1973 which was our first year of teaching - he at U.L. Light in Barberton and me at Norton Middle School and High School. We had a professional relationship for many years as our paths remained in music, but in different locations. Mr. Carasea was a wonderful person and excellent band director who always put his students first. He was a credit to his profession, and a consummate hard working band director for his entire career.

I think of Mr Carasea every time I stand in front of my own band. Every time I am yelling at the band to stop moving at attention. “Don’t scratch take a bath” Every time I am conducting and want to take my sweater off because it is hot in the room. “Don’t worry this is all that is coming off” every time a student asks if I know how to play Euchre. Mr. Carasea gave me 4 amazing years of high school band but he as also gave me the passion to join him in as a music educator. The past several years I have had him come out to work with my band. He truly loves music and students. He will always be an inspiration to me.

My most precious memories of high school was of marching band and concert band. Mr. C was the best! He taught us so much, those who knew him will forever be blessed! My thoughts and prayers are with his family... God Bless!

My most cherished memories from highschool were because of Mr C. I dont know anyone who didnt love him. He always made you feel important. He was truly the best. I'm glad I had the pleasure of knowing him.

Mr. C made a difference in my life! He taught me self-discipline, time management, and how to memorize. Here is the funny story..I crossed the band room behind Mr. C. He had on a pink dress shirt and there was a black hair on his back. I went to pick it off and it was attached. He stood up and yelled! I was mortified! First period band class had a huge laugh! He was tough yet fair! He made hard work fun! We were the proud crowd because of Mr. C believing is us and teaching us to be our best!
I know Mr. C is already playing and directing in Gods heavenly band! We will miss you until we meet again in that concert in the sky!
My deepest condolences and
Prayers for peace for his family!?♡

Kids at Cloverleaf learned respect, acceptance, responsibility and music all while having fun from Mr. C.. Both of my daughters marched under Mr. C.'s direction and enjoyed their time in band, while learning so much! I am so thankful that Mr. C shared his talents with so many kids at Cloverleaf. He left this world a better place and will be missed-he was loved by many.

I don't even know where to start with Mr. C. To say he was the best is a simple but true statement. He taught not only me but my other 4 siblings too. I had him for concert band all the way through graduation and one year in marching band. When I decided to join marching band there were too many piccolos (I played the flute) and Mr. C encouraged me to pick up the flugalbone. I was nervous since I only read treble but he knew I could do it and cheered me the whole way. I'll never forget the fear of sitting in the front row of a band concert praying his sweat isn't flicked on to you! And I've heard the horrible FBI joke more times than I can remember. He was one of a kind and will truly be missed.

I worked with Mr C. for 5 years as my daughter was a flag helper in 8th and in the band for 4 years. He was a loving, caring and dedicated man both with his family and the band. He hated to fly and when we had to fly to San Antonio Tx to set up the bands trip to the Alamo bowl I got to see this first hand. Even with a few drinks he was white knuckles the whole flight both ways. He did it though for the kids, he told me most of them would grow up and stay in the area, he wanted them to see some where else that was why the band took an out of state trip every 4 years. This is just one of so many things he did out side of the music to help the kids.

Mr. C was such an influence in my life. He inspired my passion for music. He was an amazing marching band choreographer. He was undefeated at euchre and hearts. I mean, something would always come up if it looked like he was going to lose, but the fact remains that he was undefeated . He had a way of joking with us that let us know he cared. He made fun of himself the most, calling himself FBI (fat, bald, Italian). We will miss you Mr. Carasea. Thank you for all the kids you encouraged over the years. You leave an awesome legacy.

My first memory of Mr C was how angry I was at him for not letting me out of band practice to go canoeing. I began to learn the meaning of commitment and responsibility that day. Over the years, as many others have said, Mr C balanced his stern "all-business" persona on the field with the always smiling jokester in the band room. As a flighty teenage girl, Mr C noticed that perhaps I had a couple of relationships going on, and when cleaning out the file cabinets, handed me a piece of music "I Wonder Who's Kissing Her Now" laughing the whole time. After college, when I saw him years later, as a substitute teacher, he greeted me like an old friend and filled me in on all the"a**holes" in the school, lol, treating me like an equal instead of a former student. He will forever be in my heart. I hope my children get to experience the kind of love and admiration for a teacher that I have for Mr. Carasea.

Always in our hearts .  Such an amazing man, director and teacher who touched so many lives.

My heart is saddened by the passing of Gerald Carasea or Mr. C to most! Words can't express how he positively impacted thousands of students & adults and how he loved his wife and children! His passion for music and mentoring youth and adults not only in music but during daily course of events, have helped shape the lives of literally thousands! He was a trailblazer, pushing for what was right even if it wasn't popular or easy. He always found a way. Truly one of my heroes. Say hi to mom, Judy Merkle and Ray Boggs. Start the show without me, because I am going to be late! Til next time Jerry.