Jerome T. (Jerry) Nowicki, 76, passed peacefully at Spectrum Health in Grand Rapids, Michigan, on September 19, 2017. Jerry was born May 5, 1941, in Mishawaka, Indiana, to Donald and Peggy Nowicki. Jerry married Sandra (Sandi) Taylor on February 29, 1960, she survives.

Also surviving is his sister, Lynnette (Irv) Wilson; son, Jeffrey (Karen) Nowicki; daughters, Jodi (Troy) Brandt and Traci (Danny) Balch; his grandchildren: Jakob Nowicki, Henley Nowicki, Jeromy Nowicki, Hagan (Laura) Brandt, Kasey Brandt, Taylor (Matt) Boardman, Alexander Balch, Gabriella Balch; his great-grandchild Cooper Boardman; and step-grandchildren Will Brabant, Ethan Brabant and Logan Mays.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Jerry was a builder and a fixer at heart, and a perfectionist by nature. For more than 20-years he applied his enormous talent as a sheet metal fabricator at F&A Fabricating and Associated Mechanical Services. He ultimately joined Kellogg Company, where he retired in 1996. In retirement, Jerry would “be right over” to build, repair or supervise projects large and small. Jerry loved to play golf, both in Michigan and in Florida, where he wintered for the past two decades. The one thing Jerry couldn’t fix was his golf swing…he just couldn’t seem to keep his “damn head down.”

Jerry loved to watch his children and grandchildren participate in athletics and the arts. More than a casual spectator, he was an avid supporter. He coached and served on the board of directors of Wattles Park Men’s Club for many years.

Jerry never met a stranger. His dry wit, easy laugh, and empathetic nature endeared him to all.