WILLIAMSBURG — Jean Gerard “Jerry” Enslein of Williamsburg, VA passed peacefully among family at the Sentara Hospital early Saturday morning, Oct. 16th.
Jerry was born to Jakob and Margaret Enslein in Cologne, Germany on January 28th, 1929. With the rise of the Nazi Party, the family moved to Paris, France in 1933. With the invasion and conquest of France in 1940, Jerry, Jakob, Margaret and Jerry’s late brother, Kurt, escaped to the United States via Spain and Portugal. They were among the thousands of Holocaust survivors who found refuge overseas. A personal memoir of both Jerry and Kurt’s experiences during this period is on file with the “Legacy of Light” program at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, DC.
From 1947 to 1952 Jerry served in the U.S. Army and Army Reserves, seeing combat duty during the Korean War as a combat engineer. He married his late wife Rosetta during this time.
During his adult life, Jerry worked for several suppliers of building products, eventually opening his own businesses in Larchmont, NY; Enslein Building Specialties and Westfair Realty. He was a consummate and proud Democrat and voted as such from Truman to Biden.
Jerry’s passions were jazz, the opera, sailing, tennis and Army Football, having played service ball for Army prior to Korea. He played a competitive game of tennis up to his 89th year. He traveled often to Europe, his favorite haunt being Lake Como, Italy, always in search of great food (especially desserts), great wine and good conversation.
Jerry is survived by his current and loving wife, Dorothy. He has four children by his late wife Rosetta; Lisa (Ken), Laurie, Mark (Marianne) and Dean (Allison); as well as 8 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren, all of whom lovingly called him “Papa Jerry”.
All in all, Dad lived life to the fullest. His favorite female artist, Edith Piaf, may have expressed it best. “Je Ne Regrette Rien”. In short “No Regrets”.
Jerry and Dorothy were strong supporters of several charities and the family requests that, in lieu of flowers, donations be sent to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum (www.ushmm.org) and/or the Children’s Hospital of The Kings Daughters (www.chkd.org/giving).
A Celebration of Jerry’s life is being planned in the near future. Online condolences may be shared at www.nelsenwilliamsburg.com.