Jerome Anton Blau, 85, of Willoughby, passed away Aug. 25, 2018.
Jerome was born Nov. 17, 1932, to Joseph and Helene Blau. The family moved from Hamilton to Cleveland in the 1940s.
Mr. Blau was a proud Benedictine High School graduate, Class of 1950 and served in the U.S. Naval Reserves after graduation. He married the former Shirley Ann Reirdon Feb. 7, 1953. Together they raised five children, eventually settling in Euclid in the mid-1950s.
Mr. Blau worked at the Fisher Body auto plant before embarking on a career in the banking industry. Starting as a teller, he worked his way up to assistant manager at National City Bank. He took a bank manager position at Citizens Federal Savings and Loan, serving as an assistant Vice President until TransOhio Savings bought the bank. He retired from the Diocese of Cleveland after working as a sales person at All Souls Cemetery.
He was active in the community and his parish, St. Williams. He was a member of the Holy Name Society, taught religion class to high schoolers and counseled engaged couples about finances. In the early 1980s, he was involved in the Boy Scouting program and served three years (1981-84) as the Scoutmaster of Troop 54 in Euclid.
He was preceded in death by both his parents; brothers, Jude and John; and sisters, JoAnn and Shirley.
He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Shirley; sister, Sue (Richard) Steinbach; children, Mary E. Rogers, Linda J. Ausflug, Jerome F. (Tena) Blau, Michael G. (Kathryn) Blau, and Patrick E. (Sarah) Blau;
along with many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
He was a friend to many over the years and will be remembered as one who thought, “You should stand on your own two feet and make your own lot in life.”
Visitation will be from 12 noon to 1 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 6, 2018, at The Abbey of Willoughby, 38011 Euclid Ave., (located on the grounds of the McMahon-Coyne-Vitantonio Funeral Home), in Willoughby Thursday, Sept. 6, 2018 from Noon to 1 p.m., with a memorial service to be held at 1 p.m. Burial at All Souls Cemetery will take place at a later date.
To leave condolences for the family, order flowers or light a memorial candle, visit www.MCVfuneralhomes.com.