Gerald Thomas Cesnick

Gerald “Jerry” Cesnick passed away the evening of November 14, due to complications from cancer at the age of 76. Born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia, he was the oldest and only son to John and Patricia, a proud and protective brother to his three beautiful sisters, Rebecca, Molly, and Victoria. Despite his stature, Jerry was a tremendous athlete, a football star of St. Joseph Catholic High School. Jerry was the proud graduate of Sewanee, the University of the South, the last graduating class of all men. He often reminisced of the days on top of the mountain, enjoying the adventures of his fraternity ATO, with his lifelong friend David Payne, who later became his brother-in-law. The friendships and memories stayed with them for decades.

Birmingham, Alabama, became his home when he met the love of his life, Nancy. Set up on a blind date by his sister Rebecca, he quickly gained the respect of his future in-laws, the late Honorable Judge Dugan Callaway and his wife Gloria, when he found Nancy’s childhood home, hidden deep in the hills of Vestavia, without getting lost, for their first date. After a quick courtship, he knew she was the one, proposing on a napkin at Dugan’s Bar after six weeks of dating. They married May 28, 1977 in an intimate ceremony with close friends and family.

Jerry loved Alabama football and basketball, fishing, great music, a stiff glass of bourbon, but nothing surpassed the love he had for his three children, the pride of his life, Nolan, John, and Katie. The only thing that matched his Hungarian stubbornness was his devotion as a great father. From coaching every little league team, earning the nickname “Coach Hardrock”, to countless road trips and Bama games, chaperoning field trips, going to concerts, even subjecting himself to elementary cafeteria food, never missing a Friday lunch date with Katie and her class, treating them all to ice cream, every week. Eventually this turned into reoccurring lunch dates in Tuscaloosa with her sorority sisters. But nothing was better than their weekend fishing trips to Lay Lake. He was always a phone call away. These treasured memories will carry his legacy.

Jerry was a terrific salesman, working in the gas and pipe industry for many years, even the last year of his life. Given the nickname “The Road Warrior” by his children, he was often on the road, enjoying the grind of the highway, working pipe lines and job sites. Later in life, Jerry’s love of cars brought him to his close friend Bobby Mason, working together in the car industry and Bobby’s auto shop, side by side. When not working, he enjoyed being with his family at home, grilling a great steak or a classic “Jerry Burger”, bowling or golfing with his sons and son-in-law. He was a supportive fixture at his grandchildren’s sports events and recitals. One of his happiest pastimes was sitting on a porch, watching all his grandchildren play together. Jerry was a long time member of All Saints Episcopal Church. He served on the vestry for many years and enjoyed being a welcoming face, taking the time to share his faith, that carried him throughout the years.

The hardships of his health battle the last few years will never diminish the profound impact of his generous spirit, the adoration he had for his family, and his strong but quiet smile.

Jerry was preceded in death by his father, John Thomas Cesnick, his best friend, and his mother Patricia Rose Cesnick. He was also preceded in death by his dear friends, James Harshman and Harry Edwards, who were like brothers to him. He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Nancy, his three children Nolan (Harmony), John (Megan), and Katie (Jonathan) and his beloved grandchildren, Jake, Evan, Savannah, Ann Burgin, Henry, Jack, and Camille. He is also survived by his sisters, Rebecca, Molly, and Vicky, and his nieces and nephews that he treated and adored like his own children.

The family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to the team of nurses and doctors at Kirklin Clinic of UAB and to Dr. Edward Kim of Southview Medical Group for their dedication in care and treatment.

A visitation will be held at All Saints Episcopal Church in Homewood on Friday, December 6th, in the Great Hall at 10 am, with service to follow in the Sanctuary at 11 am.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to a special needs facility such as The Exceptional Foundation, The Bell Center, or Equip, in honor of his special needs grandchildren.