Jerome Friedman

Jerome Joseph Friedman. 52. died peacefully at home after a three year battle with colon cancer, lymphoma, and biliary duct cancer. Jerome is survived by his wife Kathryn ( his wife of 25 years) and his children: Brock(20), Vince(15), Gretchen(13), and Audrey(9) ; His Mother Louise(98) and his five siblings: Brother Paul Friedman, Mary Carol Williams ( Dick) , Luzann Noonan ( Larry), Mark Friedman( Mary), Joan Mistrot (Jacques). Jerome’s nieces and nephews, cousins, and their families will also miss more special times with “Uncle Jerry”. The Klein and Rosenow families also share in this great loss. Jerome will be missed by all who loved him: IBM, The Community of St. Francis of Assisi Church, Family, Friends, and the many athletes whose lives he touched. Jerome was born to Walter and Louise Friedman on June 26, 1961 in DeKalb, Illinois. The Friedmans moved to Shawano, WI and then Rhinelander, WI. Jerome earned his degree in management from the University of Wisconsin- Eau Claire. He completed post- graduate study in Osaka ,Japan, and returned to the United States to begin work for IBM in 1984. Kathryn and Jerome were married in 1987. They lived in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, Green Bay, Wisconsin, and Raleigh, North Carolina. Jerome loved his faith, his family, and his friends. During his life and illness he learned to “Let Go and Let God.” Trusting and Surrendering to God was a goal. He wrote about his faith-life journey in a book he called The Joy of Life. Jerome loved his family. He told us he loved us often. He found joy in each day…and strived to make each day his “masterpiece!” Jerome embraced life. He thoroughly enjoyed learning with the people with whom he forged relationships. Jerome was a people person. He mentored many and learned from more. He enjoyed challenges and problem solving. He was a coach at heart. He was a life-long learner, and he wanted to share what he knew with others. He enjoyed chess, pool, golf, movies, and watching his beloved Green Bay Packers Football team. He loved to go to the kids’ sporting events and help them improve their game. A highlight for Jerome was any opportunity he had to spend time with his family- especially the Friedman Family Reunions every two years! Jerome loved coaching : faith, character development, and sports. He had passion. He studied and loved Morgan Wooten, John Wooden, Vince Lombardi, and Pistol Pete Marovich. He loved to see inspirational movies and use them to teach core values to his players. He lived to exemplify the CHRIST principles that he developed with working with other coaches. *Caring, *Humility, *Respect, *Integrity, *Spirituality/Sportsmanship/Surrender, and *Trust/Teamwork. Those who walked with him on his faith journey understood his commitment to the Lord and his direction in life. The family wishes to thank Dr. Mark Yoffe, Dr. Matthew Strouch, Dr. Ron Schwarz and the many Nurses, Nursing Aides, patients, and staff at REX Hospital that made a difference in the treatment and care of Jerome while he was battling his ulcerative colitis, colon cancer, lymphoma, and biliary duct cancer. Wake County Hospice Care Team was a blessing. Thank you Kezia and Lisa for coming to the house often and taking the time to get to know our family. You made a difference! We could not have made this journey without our faith in God, our family, our friends and the Community of St Francis. “Thank you “ does not begin to express the deep gratitude we feel. We rejoice in God always! Visitation with the family will be at the Gathering Space at St Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, 11401 Leesville Road, Raleigh, NC from 6-8pm Monday July 8th. A Mass of Celebration will take place at The Catholic Community of St Francis of Assisi, Raleigh, NC, 11401 Leesville Road, Raleigh NC on Tuesday July 9th at 1 pm. Interment to follow in the St Francis Columbarium. Please join us to celebrate Jerome’s life in person or in prayer! Jerome had requested that in lieu of flowers donations can be made for the Joy of Life fund. Checks may be payable to Kathryn Friedman/Joy of Life Fund at Wells Fargo 7600 Creedmoor Road, Raleigh, NC 27615

Jerome Friedman

June 26, 1961 - June 30, 2013