Gerald "Jerry" George Kasinski, 77, of Redlands, CA, passed away peacefully on Friday, October 14, 2022 after a three-year battle with vascular dementia. He was surrounded by family at the time of his death.

To sum up 77 years of a man's life is tough to do in a few short paragraphs. Born on September 2, 1945 in Buffalo, NY (Go Bills!), Jerry was the third of four children born to Walter and Leokadja "Lottie" Kasinski. After earning his Philosophy and Theology majors from Buffalo Seminary, Jerry enlisted in the Air Force and was stationed in Saigon during the Vietnam War. In 1971 he settled in California to raise a family and pursue a 37-year career in public education. He obtained his Master of Arts in Education, Educational Administration, from the University of Redlands in 1990.

Jerry spent many years as an Elementary school educator focused within the Gifted and Talented Education (GATE) programs. He was also honored to spend much of his career as a Vice Principal and Principal in a variety of Elementary schools within the San Bernardino City Unified School District. Under his leadership and guidance, the school communities he led were consistently recognized for their students' educational transformations.

Jerry routinely sought ways to make a difference among the communities in which he lived and worked. He was an active member and President of the San Bernardino Rotary Club, and he was a member, Treasurer, and President of his homeowner's association for many years. In every area of his life, Jerry was well-respected for his leadership style, fairness, integrity, calmness, and humor.

On a personal note, Jerry was a dedicated husband, father, and Dzia Dzia (grandfather) who, after retirement, delighted in chaperoning field trips and teaching his grandchildren the art of chess. He enjoyed family gatherings, trips to Disney, and getaways to Napa Valley with his wife, Helenruth. Jerry was a golfer, a Civil War buff, and an opera lover. He was also an avid runner who competed in the LA Marathon, along with several 5k and 10k runs over the years. An accomplishment he valued greatly was running in the Disney Half Marathon when he was 70 years old.

Jerry had seen every British mystery and James Bond movie ever made, and he was a voracious fan of The Lord of the Rings books and movies. A favorite memory of ours is the time he dressed as Bilbo Baggins (and his family dressed in Lord of the Rings costumes) to celebrate his 70th birthday.


Our sweet, everyday remembrances of him will include:

His perfection in the art of making Buffalo wings

The way he always had a toothpick and a tube of ChapStick in his pocket

His love of Good & Plenty candy and anything peanut butter and chocolate

​His sharing of the oplatek (a Polish Christmas wafer for good health, wealth, and a long life) every Christmas Eve

His favorite armchair

His cozy flannel shirts

The way he would say, "Hay!" anytime he saw a hay truck

Jerry never passed up an opportunity to share a favorite pun or to find humor in everyday life. Even in the end, his humor was the shining light that carried us all. He will be deeply missed.

Jerry is survived by his loving wife, Helenruth Kasinski; son Philip (Amy) Kasinski; daughter Krysta Kasinski (Sushant Kamath); step-daughter Chesley (Robert) Schamroth; 5 grandchildren; his brothers James Kasinski and William (Jean) Kasinski; his sister Madeline Harris; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts and uncles. He was preceded in death by his parents, Walter and Lottie.

A public military funeral service will be held at the Riverside National Cemetery on Friday, December 9, 2022 at 1:00pm and will be followed by a private remembrance for his immediate family.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Alzheimer's Association at https://www.alz.org/