Longtime Denver restaurateur and nightclub owner, Gerald “Jerry” Kernis died on May 10, 2023. He recently turned 90. A service was held May 11 at Aish of the Rockies, officiated by Rabbi Yaakov Meyer, Rabbi Menachem Siderson and Rabbi Yechiel Erlanger. Feldman Mortuary made the arrangements.
Over his 50-year career, Mr. Kernis owned over 48 restaurants and nightclubs, employing as many as 600 people.
Mr. Kernis, born on April 30, 1953, grew up in Weissport, Pa., in the Lehigh Valley. He attended Marietta College of Ohio, and moved to Denver in the early 1960s where he initially worked in the scrap metal business and as a lineman before becoming an entrepreneur.
After dating for 16 years, Jerry and Linda Kernis were married on July 28, 1991 at the Brown Palace Hotel.
They remained a couple until Mr. Kernis’ passing.
“We traveled the world for the past 40 years,” said Mrs. Kernis. “We couldn’t go anywhere in the world without someone coming up to Jerry saying, ‘I worked for you.’
“He took so many people under his wing. Once touched by Jerry Kernis, one never forgets they have been blessed for life. He touched all who came to know him.”
Mr. Kernis was an avid fly and deep-sea fisherman. He also studied Jewish history with many rabbis and scholars.
Survivors are Mr. Kernis’ wife Linda; son Uri Kernis; siblings Sheila (Cyrus) Mager, Reva (Sol) Lubin and Peter (Karen) Cooper; sister-in law Becky Kimbley, brothers-in-law Mike Fahey and Jim (Mary) Fahey; 23 nieces and nephews and 39 great-nieces and nephews.
Contributions may be made to Aish of the Rockies or JFS.
Prominent attorney Walter Gerash passed away on May 7, 2023, at the age of 96. A memorial service is pending.
Mr. Gerash practiced law in Denver for over five decades, establishing himself as one of the famed defense attorneys of his time.
Born in New York City on Nov. 24, 1926, to Russian Jewish immigrants, Mr. Gerash entered the US Army at the age of 17. When his two-year military service concluded Mr. Gerash attended UCLA and obtained his law degree at DU. He later earned a masters’ degree in history from the University of Chicago.
Mr. Gerash then opened his Denver law practice. Denver historian Phil Goodstein called Mr. Gerash “Denver’s Defender.”
“He was the city’s premier attorney during the last half of the 20th century,” wrote Goodstein. “In countless cases, he was in court defending political radicals and people accused of sensational crimes.
“Often extremely outspoken and eccentric, he blazed a trail for an alternative community.”
Renowned for his theatrical style in court, Mr. Gerash defended numerous high-profile cases, including former boxer Ron Lyle after the murder of his former trainer, and a 19-year-old in Littleton who was accused of killing his parents.
Mr. Gerash also represented music star John Denver in a 1993 DUI case in Aspen, and defended James King, the former Denver police sergeant who was accused of killing four guards at the United Bank of Denver in 1992, in a case dubbed the “Fathers’ Day Massacre.”
“He was larger than life in his career and to the legal community,” Mr. Gerash’s son Dan told the IJN.
Mr. Gerash and son Dan practiced together for five years.
Former law clerk Jeffrey Springer said in the March, 2008 edition of Colorado Super Lawyers Magazine: “He taught me an understanding of what it means to be in a war with the other side. He’s literally a guy that would work out, keep himself unbelievably physically and mentally fit.
“He was always pushing his body and mind to be ready to go to war in the courtroom.”
Goodstein added: “Both in court and on a personal level, Gerash often appeared as if he were highly confused. Critics accused him of having a selective memory. This was something of a guise.
“Suddenly, he sprung alive, tearing apart witnesses during cross-examinations.
“In his highly publicized trials, he came across as both a relentless fighter for his clients and something of a field marshal mobilizing his witnesses as he often ran rings around the prosecution.”
Mr. Gerash closed his law practice in 2010.
“He became a very sweet, loving and generous grandfather and father,” said Dan Gerash.
Survivors are sons Douglass (Kathryn) Gerash and Dan (Karen) Gerash, grandchildren Halle and Will; and brother Gerald Gerash.
Denver native Joanne Pepper died on April 30, 2023, at the age of 88. A service was held on May 3 at Temple Emanuel, officiated by Rabbi Joe Black and Rabbi Steven Foster.
Mrs. Pepper, born on August 19, 1934, grew up on the West Side, attending Cheltenham Elementary, before moving to the East Side and attending Gove Jr. High and East High School. She then attended CU.
In 1953 Joanne met Miff Pepper; they were bridesmaid and groomsman at the wedding of their cousin and friend. Six months later, in March, 1954, they married, and remained a couple until Mr. Pepper’s passing in October, 2012.
“Joanne was a devoted wife, mother, Nana and Gigi,” her family said. “She was a loyal friend. She will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved her.”
Survivors are sister Linda Serio; daughter Cathy (Rick) Neistat; and grandchildren Jamie (Ryan) Lavarnway and Calli (Kidd) Cardillo.
Contributions may be made to the Joanne and Milford Pepper Shwayder Camp Scholarship Fund at Temple Emanuel.
Longtime Denver resident and US Air Force veteran Jesse Greenberg died on February 19, 2023. He was 91. A service was held March 1 at Feldman Mortuary, officiated by Rabbi Stephen Booth-Nadav. Feldman Mortuary handled the arrangements.
A native of Woodhaven, NY, Mr. Greenberg graduated from NYU with a degree in mechanical engineering.
He then served in the US Air Force during the Korean War.
In 1954 Mr. Greenberg married Alice Neulander. After that marriage ended he married Elaine Jarrod in 1968.
Mr. Greenberg worked as an engineer for Chrysler Corporation, then moved to Denver in 1960 while owning a service station and repair shop. Later, he worked as an operations manager for a scrap metal business and then as a designer in the kitchen and bathroom renovation-remodeling industry.
“He was very talented at building furniture and repairing practically everything around the house and on any vehicle,” his family said. “He was well known for his sense of humor and gregarious nature.”
Survivors are children Daniel Greenberg, Wendy Hanophy, Elizabeth Greenberg and Francine Lowery; and grandchildren Carly Jacobs, Skylar Lowery, Branden Lowery and Liann Hanophy.
Longtime volunteer in the Denver community Leruth “Ruth” Gold Davis died on April 29, 2023. She was 86. No service is planned. Feldman Mortuary is handling arrangements.
A native of Greeley, Mrs. Davis was born on July 6, 1936. She attended CU Boulder and in 1956 married Roi Davis, Jr. of Toledo, Ohio. They started a family in Mr. Davis’ hometown before their return to Colorado in 1969.
Mr. and Mrs. Davis were active in the renovation and preservation of the Buckhorn Exchange Restaurant.
Mrs. Davis succeeded her husband as president of the restaurant after his passing in 2005.
Mrs. Davis was a dedicated volunteer at the Denver Art Museum and Planned Parenthood Colorado. She was also an avid skier and art lover.
Survivors are Mrs. Davis’ sons Mark Davis, Rob Davis and Jud Davis; her sister Marcia Gold Naiman; and granddaughter Jordyn.
Contributions may be made to Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains, the Rocky Mountain MS Center or the American Cancer Society.
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