Gerald "Jerry" Conrad Krauss

He was the first born in Brooklyn, New York to parents Regina Baschab and Conrad Krauss. With his father and younger brothers early demise, he became the head of the household before he became a teenager. Jerry helped deliver milk, gathered coal in the street, and worked paper routes to provide for his family. He belonged to his father's Bundesliga, one of the first soccer clubs in America. Relatives in Germany and the USA helped his family, he picked up not only German soccer but the German language early on. He loved German futbol and watched it as often as he could.

Always a go getter, dad went to pace college while working full time at an insurance agency in downtown Manhattan. He played soccer on the weekends and that's where he met his lifelong love, Joan frank. After his army stint in the Korean war, managing the officers' club, Joan and he married on May 22, 1954. During this time, they enjoyed the big city music scene, listening to harry James orchestra, Freddy Cole, dizzy Gillespie, and Bennie Goodman. They won a dance contest together doing the lindy.

Three years later, Carrie Jeanne was born. They drove down from New York, with their cars packed and dad's best friend and partner, Fred Hoyer in tow to raise their families in Pinellas County, Florida. Jerry's uncle Gilbert Baschab partnered with Jerry and Fred to open a bowling business, called sunshine bowl after many years of working seven days a week, rarely less than twelve hours a day, they were able to support their families, with four kids each. They opened a second family business in 1976, Seminole Lanes, and shortly after Sunrise Lanes. He partnered with other bowling business owners, the Palazzolo, Morrises, Perrone, and Larson families.

His contributions to the local community, as well as the advancement of the sport of bowling to where it is today, in large part, is due to his passion for excellence.

Gerald Krauss was a pillar of our community. He not only taught thousands of people how to bowl, he shared his knowledge, his time, and most importantly, his friendship with everyone he met. He was most proud of his wife Joan, married over seventy years, and his family. His children: Carrie & David Roach, Kevin & Mary Ann Krauss, Nancy & Dale Ingham, Christine & Jayanti Patel. His grandchildren: Robbie & Erin Roach, Sarah & Santi Guaygua, Christina Roach & Greg, Matthew & Karen Roach, Michael Roach & Michelle, Kelsey & Michael Labanara, Cory & Katelyn Krauss, Morgen Ingham, Ana Marina Ingham, Alexandria & Tyler Rankin, Mackenzie & Nikhil Thota. Now his great grandchildren: Liam & Kai Roach, Benjamin Guaygua, Marshall & Leah Roach, Henley Labanara, Conrad & Collins Krauss, Jackson & Bowen & Ellie Rankin.

Achievements

Pinellas Park rotary club active member for 61 years

Founded veterans wheelchair league

Liaison for international Rotary Club and BPAA

Bowling Hall of Fame - 1984

Pinellas County schools turnaround program for 40 years

BCAF Max Booke lifetime achievement recipient

Founder of Krauss/Baschab family foundation with a focus on education in Pinellas County

Arrangements were made under the direction of Garden Sanctuary Funeral Home and Cemetery, 7950 131st Street, Seminole, Florida 33776 / 727-391-0121.