Obituary of Jerry J. Kolman

Jerry J. Kolman, 66, passed away on March 21, 2025. He was born in the Bronx, NY, and grew up in Queens, NY, with his parents, Miloslav and Mary and his two sisters, Elizabeth and Maryann. He started out young working at age 9 on a paperboy route, while growing up he loved candy especially jawbreakers which did not help where teeth were concerned and he loved riding dirt bikes. When Jerry could, he enlisted in the military having the honor to serve as a part of the US Airforce working his way up to Sergeant, he was extremely proud to talk about all the airplanes he got to work on while in the service creating friendships that last a lifetime. When he was not working, he took joyrides in his jeep with friends serving alongside him. After proudly serving he obtained an Associate’s Degree in Applied Science Majoring in Automotive Engineering Technology. He had a strong passion for working on anything with an engine. Jerry also loved spending time with friends and family fishing, taking on any opportunity to get on a boat. Eventually he settled down with the love of his life in Brooklyn, NY, working alongside her at the US postal Service. They gained friends that were considered family, while there. Jerry and his wife Dede had two daughters, Delia, and Kayla. He had three beautiful grandchildren, Christopher, Alyssa, and Bryson. He loved spending time with family experiencing new parts of life with them. Throughout life Jerry obtained a nickname “Houdini.” One thing all friends and family had to be prepared for was that he did not like to sit still, he had a knack for disappearing. Animals were also a huge part of Jerry’s life; he loved all kind of dogs but especially Labrador retrievers. About 10 years ago he became the proud pet owner of a Black Labrador Retriever Domino, he was actually a man’s best friend. Wherever Jerry went Domino went (literally). Jerry is predeceased by his parents, Miloslav Kolman and Mary Konas. He is survived by his loving wife, Dede Kolman, daughters Delia Dunn and Kayla Cooper, husband Shawn Cooper, sisters Elizabeth Kolman and Maryann Kolman, and grandchildren, Christopher Dunn, Alyssa Dunn, and Bryson Cooper. A viewing will be held from 6:00PM to 8:00PM on Sunday, March 30, 2025, at Gilbert L. Dailey Funeral Home, and from 11:00AM to 12:00PM on Monday, March 31, 2025, at Holy Name of Jesus Roman Catholic Church, with mass to follow at 12:00PM. Burial will follow at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Speranza Animal Rescue at https://www.speranzarescue.org/donate.