Obituary: Jerome McSorley Of Ossining

From the Dorsey Funeral Home

Jerome “Jerry” McSorley began and ended his journey on earth in Ossining, NY. He was born on August 26, 1946 to Margaret Mary (Murphy) and J. Howard McSorley.

He was the fourth of nine children raised in a small home with lots of love. As most of the McSorley children, he attended St. Augustine’s Catholic School and was a member of the parish.

Jerry attended Stepinac High School (1963) followed by Pace University. While at Pace, he became a member of the Sigma Zeta Chi fraternity and remained close friends with his “brothers” for the remainder of his life. After graduating from Pace University, Jerry was drafted to the U.S. Army during the Vietnam conflict. He served as a Sergeant in the 10th infantry unit and was awarded the Army Commendation Medal for exemplary service.

Jerry married Maria Giusti in September of 1971 and later welcomed the two loves of his life, Christina Maria (1973) and Jerome Ryan (1976). Being a father was the joy of Jerry’s life. He was the dad that coached, went camping, led tribes of Indian Princesses and Guides and taught his children how to love and live a life with meaning. He believed in hugs, family time and always saying, “I love You.” He loved sports, cheering on his children and being a soccer referee. Jerry had an adventurous spirit, movie star smile and an infectious laugh. He loved to drink Manhattans and dance the night away, usually with his sister, Peggy.

Jerry worked most of his career in finance and leasing for such companies as Marx Toys, Copeland Corporation and Chrysler. In 1977, he took a job with NCR and relocated the family to Tipp City, OH where they spent 7 years in a wonderful community and made life-long friends. He got his MBA in finance from Wright State University in Ohio. The family returned to New York in 1985 where Jerry worked for Citigroup and ultimately finished the finance part of his career as a Vice President at Dresdner Bank.

In 2003, Jerry left Wall Street behind and started a home inspection business called Shorelands Home Inspections. He was a handyman and “fixer” at heart and enjoyed this more relaxed business.

He continued to referee soccer well into his 60s, only when it did not interfere with watching one of his kids or grandkids on the field.

For Jerry, the next best thing to being a dad was being a grandfather. He was a very active Grandpa and could be found snorkeling, parasailing, boating and playing pond hockey (just this past winter) with his grandkids. He was first in line for a roller coaster and loved taking them on rides in his Corvette. He was on the sideline of every football, soccer, basketball and lacrosse game and beamed with pride watching his grandchildren. He treated his son-in-law and daughter-in-law as if they were his own and liked nothing more than spending time with family and his dog, Gus. He loved his siblings fiercely and always looked forward to being together.

Jerry fought a very short but difficult battle with aplastic anemia. He was welcomed into God’s heavenly kingdom on June 22, 2021 while still in the loving embrace of his children. His incredible legacy lives on through his daughter Christina (Tina) and Greg Sommer of Wilton, CT and their children Jake, Mia, Emmett and Carly, and his son Jerry and Shannon McSorley of Denver, NC and their twins Brady and Liam.

Jerry is pre-deceased by his parents Margaret and Howard McSorley as well as his sister Catherine “Nancy” Parise and brother Anthony McSorley. Jerry is survived by his siblings Peggy (Tom) Reed of Poughkeepsie, NY; Edward McSorley of Naples, FL; Patricia (Peter) Roscoe of Astoria, OR; Mary (Rick) LaFleur of Ossining, NY; Eileen (Don) Giuseppi of Croton-on-Hudson, NY; Michele (Charles) Mueller of Ridgefield, CT, his brother-in-law Tony Parise, his sister-in-law Pat McSorley and many, many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews that all adored him.

Visiting hours will be held on Monday from 4-8pm at Dorsey Funeral Home. The funeral mass will be celebrated on Tuesday at 10am at St. Augustine’s Church. Interment St. Augustine’s Cemetery.