Jerry Ginsberg, whose involvement in Denvers Jewish community encompassed all denominations, passed away June 27, 2012, in Greenwood Village, Colo.
Rabbis Bernard Gerson and Richard Rheins officiated at the June 29 graveside service at Rose Hill Cemetery. Shalom Funeral Service made the arrangements.
Dad was a consummate volunteer, the family said. Whenever there was a project to do, whether at shul a Purim carnival, summer picnic, envelopes that needed stuffing or at his Masonic lodge or for his family, Dad was there.
A clown with the El Jebel Shrine, he regularly visited sick or injured children at National Jewish Hospital and Childrens Hospital.
He also performed at the Shrine Circus and at Shrine Night at the National Western Stock Show. Mr. Ginsberg and his brother Julius were conspirators in bringing smiles to the faces of young and old.
Dad loved his Judaism, the family said.
And he loved his family. He was so glad that most of his extended family lived in Denver.
Mr. Ginsberg was born July 17, 1921, in Denver. A man of many names, he was variously called Jerome, Jerry, Yaakov ben Avram Moshe Chaim, Yankel, John Kelly, Uncle Yank, Dad and Papa Jerry.
He attended Wyman and Whittier Elementary, Cole Junior High and graduated Denver East High School in 1938.
Mr. Ginsberg, who had studied at DU for two years, enlisted in 1942 in the new Army Air Corps during WW II.
Stationed in British Guiana and then Trinidad, he lost his rifle and spent most of his military service at his desk.
After his unit saw action in the Caribbean, for which he received a service medal, Mr. Ginsberg led services for Jewish soldiers aboard a Navy vessel.
Mr. Ginsberg returned stateside in 1945 and anticipated resuming his studies at DU. Unfortunately, the university misplaced his transcripts and he had to begin anew under the GI bill.
Seventh months after their first date, he married Shirley Gottlieb on Dec. 15, 1946. Mrs. Ginsberg passed away on May 11, 2002.
Mr. Ginsberg worked as a CPA until 2002.
A member of the Beth Joseph and BMH-BJ mens choirs, he was past master of the Columbine Lodge and recipient of the El Jebel Shrine Jewel of Honor.
Mr. Ginsberg, who planned numerous carnivals and picnics at his shul, was honored as BMH-BJs Volunteer of the Year in 2002.
He also coordinated several blood drives for the Bonfils Blood Center.
Mr. Ginsburg is survived by children Sherrie (Les) Davidson of Denver, William (Linda) Ginsberg of Parker and Lin (Gary) Sunshine of Greenwood Village; grandchildren Jared (Kristie) Ginsberg, Zachary (Effie) Ginsberg, Debora Davidson, Judith Davidson, Elizabeth Sunshine, Rebecca Sunshine and Benjamin Sunshine; and three great-grandchildren.
Contributions may be made to the charity of choice.
Copyright © 2012 by the Intermountain Jewish News
