Jerry Loss passes away

Jerry Loss, Class of 1956, passed away Friday, March 6 at his North Olmsted, Ohio home. He had
 esophageal cancer.

It was no surprise. A few days ago Jerry’s wife, Elaine, posted:

“This is very hard for me but I must tell you that Jerry's body is shutting down. The doctor says it will only be a couple of days and he will be at peace.  It has been a rough time for both of us.  

“He was diagnosed with esophageal cancer last March and then had radiation. Went all summer being happy and himself.  He did go through 2 sessions of chemo.

"A few weeks ago we took him to the local hospital where he stayed in ICU for 6 days.  He was released to come home to a hospital bed last Saturday and has been declining slowly ever since. 

“This is so painful to watch.”

Indeed, Elaine.

 

When my wife for 48 years, Monnie Elizabeth Turkette Olesky, was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer we spent her final 3 months at the home of our daughter, LaQuita, in Aurora, Ohio. We talked about many things, including Monnie’s final arrangements. But when the end came in 2004, it still was hard, very hard.

I was a basket case for seven months until Paula came back into my life. And for 15 years so far.

Jerry and Elaine have two daughters. Jerry’s brother, Robert Loss, passed away. The brother spent their childhood on the 100-acre Mill Fall farm of their parents, Frank and Gezala Futten Loss.

Jerry’s mother was born in Pellizzano, Italy in 1909 as Gisella Assunta Futten. When she came to Ellis Island and America in 1920 on the Queen of Italy ship that departed from Genoa she became Gezala.

With Gezala was her mother, Maria Fedrigoni Futten (my Nona . . . grandmother), and my mother, Guerinna Guilia Futten, Gezala’s sister, who became Lena Futten Olesky when she married my father, John W. Olesky, Sr.; and Gezala and Lena’s younger brother, Silvio Eugenio Futten, who became Si Futten, the long-time barber on Fairmont Avenue.

 

Their father, Severino de Pellizzano Futten, who left for America in 1917 to avoid World War I, sent for his family three years later.

Between them, cousins Jerry and John – who lives in Tallmadge, Ohio -- have had knee replacements, hip replacements, gall bladder removal and Pacemaker insertions into their bodies.

Jerome Lee Loss was a retired East Ohio State employee. His widow is Elaine Ehrbar Loss.

Their children are Diane Brookins and Sharon Spiewacker. They have two grandchildren.

Martens Funeral Home, 9811 Denison Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio will handle the arrangements, which have not been finalized.

If you want to send a card or note, Elaine's address is:

Elaine Loss

23560 Sharon Drive

North Olmsted, OH 44070

Her home phone is (440) 777-0183.