Jerome S. Davis
April 23, 2020

JEROME S. DAVIS: On April 23 in Weston Florida, Jerome S. Davis passed away in his sleep, at his home with his devoted caretaker Latoya Graham by his side. Jerry Davis lived a very full life and was just seven weeks from his 100th birthday. He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 71 years, Shirlee Stevenson Davis who passed away in 2014. Both Jerry and Shirlee were preceded in death by their oldest son Alan Jay Davis. Jerry is survived by his three sons: Mark, Richard, and Howard, and their wives, Marie, Linda and Jean respectively, and by Alan’s wife Melissa. The entire Davis family now includes Jerry and Shirlee’s long-time caregiver and companion, Latoya, her husband, Banko, and daughter, Taila. Thanks also to caregivers Maxine, Rhonda and Verane who were by Jerry’s side for years as well. Jerry had a big smile, and often greeted those he hadn’t seen or talked to with a very friendly “How ya doin” — something that was noted in his high school year book, and which he kept up well into his 90s. Jerry and Shirlee loved nothing more than being with their four boys and their growing families. Jerry was Grandpa to 19 grandchildren from across the country: Meagan and Jimmy Kantor, Adam and Hali Davis, Shannon and Brad Wurthman, Rachel and Nazim Arda, Lisa and Rory Falconer, Sarah and Jonathan Michaels, Emily Davis, Brad Davis, Joel and Laila Davis, Brian and Alaina Davis and Alec Davis, and great-grandchildren: James Alan Kantor, Owen Jay Wurthman, Eliana and Eren Arda, Rowan and Reese Falconer, Lillian Michaels, and Isaac and Amaiya Davis. Jerry and his three sisters grew up in Oakland. Sylvia of Pittsburgh, Ruth of Port Chester, NY and Ethel of Long Island, NY all preceded him in death as did their husbands. He was also preceded in death by 14 sisters and brothers-in-law of Shirlee’s Stevenson family, all of Pittsburgh. Jerry was uncle to more than 25 nieces and nephews who send their love from around the world. Since the mid 1940s until 1985, Jerry was a CPA for clients, friends, and family members across the entire Pittsburgh area. He was also the CPA for NBA Hall of Famer Connie Hawkins and MLB Hall of Famer Willie Stargell. His firm became Davis, Davis & Associates when son Howard joined the firm in the 1980s, and now has grown with Howard’s son, Joel, and other accountants. Jerry attended Schenley High School and the University of Pittsburgh, the first in his family to graduate from college. He was a very hard worker throughout his 40+ years as an accountant. Jerry and Shirlee and the four sons lived in Squirrel Hill and Churchill. Jerry and Shirlee were snow birds — Pittsburgh in the summer, Bonaventure/Weston the rest of the year, until they moved full time to Weston in the early 2000s. After retirement Jerry had four passions - his family, his Jewish faith, golfing with friends in Pittsburgh and Florida, and watching his favorite sports teams. They were devoted congregants of Beth Shalom in Pittsburgh where they were also married in 1943, and later at B’Nai Aviv in Weston where Jerry and Shirlee unfailingly attended services every Friday night and Saturday morning. Jerry was an avid sports fan of the Steelers, Pirates, and Miami Heat. He walked to Pirates games at Forbes Field as a young boy - and decades later attended the 1960 World Series final 7th game and saw Bill Mazeroski’s series winning home run. Jerry was a long time Steelers ticket holder and saw the famous Franco Harris “Immaculate Reception” as well as a Steelers Super Bowl win among other big victories with Shirlee and his sons. Services and Interment Private. Donations in lieu of flowers to the Alan Jay Davis Memorial Trust, 2740 Smallman Street, Suite 310, Pittsburgh PA 15222. Arrangements entrusted to Ralph Schugar Chapel, Inc. www.schugar.com

Condolences

Howard, Loss of one's last parent is most difficult. It seems that your father had a long and positive life. Know that you are in my thoughts today.