Obituary: Gerard “Jerry” Fisher

Gerard “Jerry” Fisher of Delray Beach, Fla., passed away Feb. 21, 2021, from complications of COVID-19. Jerry, a devoted husband and proud father of five, grandfather of eight, and great-grandfather of four, was a long-time executive in the wholesale wine and liquor business.

Jerry was born in Bridgeport, Conn., on Oct. 8, 1927. He joined the Navy in 1945 and, after serving, attended the University of Connecticut and graduated with a degree in business. Jerry met his late wife, Helen Berkman, in high school and they were married in 1950. They settled and raised three children, first in Fairfield, Conn., then Villanova, Pa., and finally in Atlanta. Helen passed away in 1975 after 25 years of marriage and Jerry moved to Jacksonville, Fla., where he met and married Joan Perlman in 1977. Jerry and Joan recently celebrated 43 years of marriage. Together, Jerry and his three children and Joan and her two sons, created a loving and close-knit blended family.

Jerry went into the wholesale wine and liquor business in Hartford, Conn., eventually joining National Distributing Company in 1970. During the course of his 30-year career at National, Jerry ran its Atlanta, North Florida and South Florida operations. At the time of his retirement, he was president/ managing director of the South Florida operation. Among his many other achievements at National, Jerry claimed responsibility for introducing his personal go-to vodka, Ketel One, into the Southeast market.

Well-known for his “larger than life” personality, Jerry was loved by everyone who knew him. He was an avid golfer and always enjoyed spending time on the course with his many friends. He and Joan traveled extensively, which gave him the opportunity to play many of the great courses of the world, including St. Andrews, Pebble Beach, and TPC Sawgrass, to name a few. Dining out was one of his favorite pastimes. He prided himself on being a VIP diner at The Coach & Six when he lived in Atlanta and, until very recently, had a standing Monday evening reservation at New York Prime in Boca Raton. He was a lifelong New York Yankees fan, an avid Miami Dolphins fan, never missed a major golf championship, attended numerous Super Bowls and always looked forward to wagering on Sunday NFL games. In his later years, his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren became the center of his life, and he took great pride and joy from their accomplishments.

In addition to Helen, Jerry was predeceased by their eldest daughter, Dale Fisher. Jerry is survived by his beloved wife Joan; four children Scott (Marcy Bass), Lauren (Ron Eisenman) and Randy Figur (Adrienne), all of Marietta, and Lowell Figur of Brookhaven; late daughter Dale’s husband David Blumenthal of Penn Valley, Pa.; grandchildren Gregory Eisenman (Amy), Jeffrey Fisher (Jamie Cohen), Michael Fisher (Allison Book), Heather Eisenman, Julia Blumenthal, Robert Eisenman, Hailey Figur and Jordyn Figur; four great-grandchildren Dylan and Riley Eisenman and Ella and Ethan Fisher; and sister Joan Komisar, of Stoughton, Mass., as well as numerous nieces and nephews and other extended family members.

Donations in Jerry’s memory can be made to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, B’nai Torah Congregation in Boca Raton or a charity of your choice. Arrangements by Dressler’s Funeral Care, 770-451-4999.

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