Pockar, Jerry. Jerry passed away on March 1, 2023.

Classmate Joe Rigot shared this about Jerry: 'Jerry was one of the special people in life whom you meet and forever remember. He was, how do I say it, my editor-in-chief on our school newspaper from whom I learned a lot. In his own right, he was a quite talented writer, who put words together in a meaningful way. I will forever cherish my memories of him as a man of quiet strength, with a unique ability to relate to people on a sincere basis.'

Classmate Frank Sodnicar adds, 'He was a good man. You could always count on Jerry to find a solution to a problem. Honest, fair, and understanding. A great loss.'

From Classmate Bob Dietzel we heard, 'Met Jerry at Holy Cross school. We became great friends living in the same neighborhood where we attended many sporting events and visiting each other’s family’s. Later years we would meet for lunch and discuss various topics. Jerry was extremely smart, great writer and will miss having our times together. Very saddened to hear of his passing, Jerry would have turned 80 years old on the seventh of March. God bless you Jerry for allowing me to enjoy some great memories together and for all your great things you taught me about life.

Classmate Roger Sustar said, 'What a shame about Jerry. I just thought about him the other day. He was a good writer and wrote good things. He was a cousin of Russell Johnson who owned Molinari’s in Mentor that has closed. As we continue to say life goes on and were just part of it as it turns, when we're gone it still turns and moves on.'

Classmate David Pfriem has many memories of his friend Jerry. 'Jerry and I had both attended Holy Cross School before attending Saint Joe's. I was not a good athlete, but I remember walking eagerly to Holy Cross when I was a freshman and sophomore so that I could learn how to play basketball from Jerry and a couple of other guys who lived near Holy Cross. We'd play in the church parking lot that had one or two baskets on it. Some days I would walk back to Nicholas on a sprained ankle, but I'd go back again as soon as I was a little better. Jerry and I reconnected again just before our 50th reunion. We met several times for lunch over the next ten years and talked about writing, books, philosophy, politics, and being Slovenian in Euclid, among other things. We were very supportive of each other's writing, but it is clear to me that Jerry was a superior craftsman. His life sketches of people were amazing, almost as if the person were speaking aloud, up close and personal. He was a terrifically talented man, and I shall miss him.'

Here is Jerry's obituary: Jerry Pockar, 79, of Euclid passed away March 1, 2023. The city of Euclid was the bookend for his life, it's where it began and ended, and in between he experienced life and what our beautiful country had to offer by living on both coasts and various states, in pursuit of graduate degrees, job opportunities, and always new adventures. A 1961 graduate of St. Joseph High School, he also graduated from University of Notre Dame, University of Pennsylvania, and University of Wisconsin. Jerry loved education, literature, and news, from the New Yorker to the daily New York Times. He parlayed these passions into a career as a writer. It allowed him to profile remarkable people from the streets of Central America to accomplished business people, whether working for the Catholic Universe Bulletin (the UB), John Carroll University Office of Alumni Relations, or as a freelance writer and author. Jerry knew how special it was when one such assignment was the catalyst for his profound connection to El Salvador, as it was the intersection of faith, humanity, and his commitment to social justice. He was assigned by the UB to accompany Fr. Denis St. Marie of the Cleveland Latin American Mission to cover the 10th anniversary of the murder of Sr. Dorothy Kazel, and three other missionary women in El Salvador. It was a life changing trip, and the country and people became even more dear to Jerry throughout his life. Jerry believed everyone had a story to tell and it had merit. He used his talent as a volunteer for Hospice of the Western Reserve helping patients record their life stories for loved ones. By creating a legacy book that captured memories, or unspoken thoughts, he hoped it would serve as a bridge between those receiving hospice care, and their families and friends in the days ahead. His belief of looking ahead, love of education and knowledge, was evidenced in Jerry's final act of donating his body to the School of Medicine at Case Western Reserve University for research and learning for future healthcare professionals.

Jerry is survived by his beloved wife Johanna (Cecelic), stepdaughter, Yanira Prokop, soon to be born grandson, and beloved furry companions, Medo and Chai, along with sister Marianne Johnson, sister-in-law Beverly, brother-in law Frank Cecelic (Faye), nieces, nephews, and many friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Stanley and Anna (Gorjup), dear brother Stanley and his furry love, Diva.

A celebration of life will take place later. In lieu of flowers the family would appreciate contributions in memory of Jerry to: The Latin American Mission c/o the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland Attn: Diocesan Mission 3rd Floor, 1404 East Ninth Street, Cleveland, Ohio 44114 or Hospice of the Western Reserve, Development Office, P.O. Box 72101, Cleveland, Ohio 44192.

Published by The Plain Dealer from Mar. 7 to Mar. 8, 2023.
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Posted By: Administrator - 03-02-2023
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