Gerald Stanley Zaleski

Gerald ("Jerry") Stanley Zaleski, 89, of Colorado Springs, Colorado, passed away July 19, 2022, in Colorado Springs. He was born September 14, 1932, in Chicago Illinois, to Stanley and Tilly Zaleski. After excelling in high school football, Jerry came to the wild west on a football scholarship to Colorado State University, where he met the love of his life, the fetching Diana Giddings. They were married shortly thereafter and began a 66-year love affair for the ages.

After graduating from CSU with a business major, Jerry was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers as a fullback/linebacker. He wasn't very fast, but he was built like a brick outhouse, and made opposing runners and tacklers pay for their foolish choice to meet him on the field. He almost became an NFL player, made it to the last cut, beaten out by perennial all-pro, Matt Hazeltine. At that point, with a wife and 1-year old son to provide for, Jerry made the pragmatic career decision, choosing the real estate profession over a tryout in the Canadian Football League. He became one of the most respected commercial appraisers in Colorado, rising to lead the Colorado Chapter of the Appraisal Institute as its President in 1984. Jerry was a devoted husband, a wonderful father, a great friend, and a ton of fun to be around. He was an all-around amazing man, and he will be sorely missed.

Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, Stanley and Tilly Zaleski, sister Audrey Donath, and daughter Lisa Anne (Joe) Bevans. He is survived by his loving wife, Diana Zaleski, son, Steven (Eden) Zaleski (Colorado Springs), daughter, Pamela Loyd (Peyton, Colorado), and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

The family wishes to extend our deepest gratitude to the ICU staff at St. Francis Medical Center, particularly nurse Heather, for the professional and loving care they gave to Jerry in his final days. A Celebration of Life will be held at Swan Law Funeral Home, 501 N. Cascade, Colorado Springs, on Saturday August 6, 2022, 1:00 PM, with reception to follow. All friends and family who wish to join in a loving send-off are welcome.