Gerald Radloff

Gerald (Jerry) Stewart Radloff, July 13, 1939 - February 23, 2025 With profound love and deep admiration, we celebrate the life of Gerald (Jerry) Stewart Radloff, who passed away on February 23, 2025, in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. A devoted son, brother, husband, father, and cherished "Pappy," Jerry's life was a testament to love, support, understanding, and an unwavering commitment to family, history, and service. Early Life and Family Roots Born in Detroit, Michigan, on July 13, 1939, Jerry's early life was shaped by both loss and extraordinary love. His mother, Helen (Bostwick) Radloff, passed away shortly after his birth, and with his father, Stewart Radloff, serving in the Navy aboard the USS South Dakota, Jerry was raised by his loving aunt and uncle, Margarete (Radloff) Ulichen and George Ulichen. From them, he learned the values of compassion, integrity, and perseverance. These early lessons defined his life and later inspired his writing two books, The Gift of Gregor, a tribute to his immigrant uncle, and Stewart F. Radloff, a tribute to his father. Jerry grew up on Phillip Street in Detroit, next door to his lifelong best friend, Ron Burke. His childhood was filled with memories of riding the streetcars, serving as safety patrol on Phillip Street, and attending Ives Elementary School. Family and adventure were at the heart of his early years-hunting trips with his father and cousin Jimmy Gulliver (with his treasured Sweet 16 shotgun), summer days spent with his Aunt Ruthie, and cherished moments with his baby sister, Eleanor, his dad's beloved dog, Bessie, and his own loyal companion, Prince. One of Jerry's memories was the day he went along to pick up his father at Grosse Ile Naval Station at the end of WWII, a moment that remained deeply etched in his heart. His admiration for his father was so profound that, when Jerry was in his 80s, he honored his dad's service in the Navy by getting the same tattoos as his sailor father had. Life of Achievement and Service Jerry attended Cass Technical High School and later Detroit Institute of Technology on a swimming scholarship before earning degrees from Ferris State and Eastern Michigan University. His 30-year career in education as a teacher and high school counselor in the East Detroit School System allowed him to guide and mentor countless students, shaping young lives with wisdom and encouragement. A man of many talents, Jerry was a lifeguard at Grosse Pointe Farms Park and Sconset Beach on Nantucket, and he rowed competitively for the Detroit Boat Club. He remained deeply connected to his teammates, meeting weekly for lunch with former crewmates until his passing. He was also an amateur photographer, building his own darkroom and winning numerous ribbons at photography contests. After retiring in 1993 at the age of 53, Jerry embraced life's adventures, traveling to England, New Zealand, Japan, Italy, France, Spain, Holland, China, Israel, Australia, and beyond. His wife, Elaine (Slowik) Radloff, joined him on several of these incredible journeys, while his travels with his sons Beau and Jay also created cherished memories. Passions and Legacy Jerry's lifelong respect for those in uniform was deeply rooted in his father's military service. His extensive research culminated in a comprehensive book chronicling his father's experiences in both World Wars, ensuring that the sacrifices and bravery of that generation would never be forgotten. His passion for history extended to maritime heritage, particularly lightships. He worked to help maintain the Huron Lightship in Port Huron, a dedication that even led to him being featured in a BCBSM print ad with the ship. His love for history also made him an active member of numerous organizations: · Mayflower Descendants Society · Sons of the American Revolution · Sons of Civil War Veterans · Nantucket Historical Society · Friends of the Detroit Boat Club Rowing · Senior Men's Club of Birmingham and Bloomfield Jerry rekindled his love for SCUBA diving in 1987 when Beau wanted to learn. He spent hours of dive-time with his son and his best friend from college, Hank Wiegand. After retirement, Jerry was also a dedicated Red Cross volunteer, always ready to serve others. Summers were spent tending his beloved tomato plants, embracing the simple joys of gardening. His deep connection to Nantucket Island, introduced to him at age one by his parents, remained a cornerstone of his life, with his family maintaining residences there for over 60 years. In later years he was thrilled to teach his grown sons how to fish by Surf Casting on the sandy shores of the island. He also cherished time at Zukey Lake, where he found peace and relaxation surrounded by Nature at the family cottage. As a young teenager, he loved buzzing around the lake in his small boat. His Greatest Joy: Family Of all his accomplishments, family was his greatest source of pride. A chance meeting at work in 1967 led to a wedding six months later to Elaine, and together they built a life filled with love and adventure. In 1971, they welcomed their son, Beau Ulichen Radloff, and in 1975, their family grew again with the birth of Jay Sconset Radloff. However, nothing compared to the joy of becoming a grandfather. On June 25, 2004, Jerry's world changed forever with the birth of Luke Radloff to Jay and Robyn (Nevitt) Radloff-officially making him "Pappy." Luke was joined by Maya Radloff on December 29, 2008, and soon after, Beau and Carlianne (Adams) Radloff welcomed Evelyn Radloff on December 7, 2011, and Audrey Radloff on February 7, 2014. From that point on, Pappy had four reasons to smile every single day-his grandchildren were truly the light of his life. Surviving Jerry are his loving wife Elaine, his sons Beau (Carlianne), Jay (Robyn), his sister Eleanor (Radloff) Garrison, his treasured grandchildren Luke, Maya, Evelyn, and Audrey, and a lifetime of dear friends and family who were blessed to know him. His last year was spent living at The Avalon of Bloomfield Hills, where flower day and BINGO brought him fun and laughter. The family wishes to thank the staff for assisting our father with daily needs and being there for him at the press of a button. Near his favorite chair, a note he had written several years before was found - a reflection of his gratitude and resilience: "For a boy whose mother never left the hospital after he was born and died three weeks later, and a father who went to war two years later for three years, like the great baseball player Lou Gehrig said in 1937 - I am the luckiest man on the face of the earth." We love and miss our Husband, Dad, Pappy, Father-in-Law, Brother, Uncle, and Friend. Jerry's remains have been cremated, and a Celebration of Life will be held this Spring. Donations can be made to any of Jerry's favorite charities: