Gerald Thomas Stein

He was born January 10, 1933 in Detroit, MI to Irma and Henry Stein. He graduated from Cathedral Latin High School in Cleveland in 1952. He earned a B.S. degree in industrial engineering from the University of Michigan in 1956. He then served in the U.S. Army from 1956-1958, serving primarily in Yuma, Arizona.

Jerry married Lois Hackett on June 3, 1961 in Hudson, MI. Jerry worked for Ford Motor Company and Aeroquip in Jackson in his early career. He eventually began his own consulting firm, and he and Lois opted to move to Traverse City in 1972 to raise their four children. Jerry was also able to pursue his love of sailing, which dated to his teen years when he borrowed his brothers’ sailboats to sail on the Detroit and St. Clair rivers as a teenager. He and Lois would own many boats, all named Schatzi, sailing the Great Lakes first with their children, and then on their own after the kids were gone. The North Channel was a favorite destination. He enjoyed not only sailing but boat building, purchasing an unfinished Corbin 39 in 1986 and finishing the boat on his own.

Jerry and Lois left Traverse City in 1999 to retire to the Upper Peninsula, living in Hessel, Michigan for the next seventeen years. They enjoyed snowmobiling and cross-country skiing in the winter and sailed the lakes during the summer. They were active members of Our Lady of the Snows Catholic Church in Hessel. The return of Lois’ cancer in 2016 prompted them to move to Clare to be closer to family during her final illness. Jerry moved to Lansing after her death in 2017.

In addition to sailing, snowmobiling, and skiing, Jerry enjoyed fishing, wood working, reading, and classical music. He loved dogs and Snickers was the last in a long line of beloved pets. He was an avid fan of college basketball and football, especially the Michigan Wolverines, as well as the Detroit Tigers. As he aged, he traded his car and boat for an electric tricycle, which he enjoyed riding along the Lansing river trail, and a cane for his many walks outside. He remained independent in his own apartment until his final illness.

Jerry was preceded in death by his wife, Lois, in 2017; his daughter, Cheryl, on January 3, 2024; and several brothers and his sister, Marilyn. He is survived by three children: Doris Pomeroy of Douglasville, GA; Mark and Donna Stein of San Antonio, FL; and Susan Stein-Roggenbuck and Frank Roggenbuck of Lansing, MI; grandchildren Kyle Pomeroy of Davison, MI; Jacob Roggenbuck of Lansing, MI; Melanie and Jon Santiago of Douglasville, GA; and Kat Crowley of Worthington, OH; and great-grandsons Lucas and Nicholas Santiago of Douglasville, GA. He is also survived by a brother, Paul Stein, of Daniel Island, SC.

Cheryl's obituary can be read here: https://www.stonefuneralhomeinc.com/obituary/Cheryl-Crowley