Gerald “Jerry” Russell

He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and friend.

Jerry had a long-standing history of ‘giving back’ and others often sought him out for advice on banking, cars, or life in general. He had a strong sense of civic duty and touched many lives.

He was a graduate of Sherman Central School and served in the U.S. Army (1948-51) with 2-1/2 years overseas in Korea and Japan.

He returned to Sherman in 1952 and began a long career in banking, working in Sherman, Clymer, Jamestown, Buffalo, and Little Valley. His employers included Bank of Jamestown, Western Savings Bank, and Cattaraugus County Bank, from which he retired in 1992 as the executive vice president.

He was a member of Norton Raspas American Legion Post, VFW, Lions Club, and Olive Masonic Lodge. As a member of the Little Valley Rod and Gun Club, he served on the board of directors to make improvements to the club. He was a former member and president of the Westfield Memorial Hospital Foundation Board. His love of Sherman was demonstrated as he served on the Sherman Village Board and Town of Sherman Board, as well as the internal audit committee for Sherman Central School. Jerry was a founder and director of Jamestown Savings Bank, serving on the loan committee.

Jerry had his mother, Elgie, to thank for introducing him to the love of his life, Mary Lou. His mother was manager in the cafeteria at Sherman Central. Mary Lou Murty came from Buffalo, N.Y., to teach home economics. Elgie invited Mary Lou to her home to ‘help’ her plan menus for the cafeteria, a plan which led to their marriage in 1953 for 55 years. Mary Lou passed away in 2009.

Jerry is survived by Kathleen Russell-Babin (Robert), Jeanne Dorn (Jeff), son-in-law Mark O’Grady and Lynne Hayes (Rob); and grandchildren: Erin, Kellen, Robert, Mary, Sterling, James and Berkley; and several nieces and nephews. Besides his wife, he was preceded in death by his daughter, Marijo Russell O’Grady; his parents, Elgie and Neil Russell; and his sister, Lois Brookmire.

A wake will be held Tuesday, May 31 from 6-8p.m., at the Spitzer Funeral Home, 135 Miller St, Sherman, N.Y. A graveside service will be held on Wednesday, June 1 at 10 am at the Sherman Cemetery, Rt 430, Sherman, NY.

Memorials in Jerry’s honor may be made to Sherman Stanley Hose Fire Department or Chautauqua County Hospice.