Jerry Heraper

Jerry Heraper passed away the end of March 2010 after a brief illness.

He was a resident of Sandpoint, Idaho, having moved here from Detroit, Mich., in 1986. Jerry was born in Detroit at the start of the Great Depression, graduated from high school and then lived with his retired parents in southern Michigan until moving to Sandpoint.

Moving to Sandpoint was facilitated because of a visionary lady, Mrs. Pat Rocco, who had started a program for the “DDs” (Developmentally Disabled). Jerry initially lived in Monarch House along with several other DDs and, under excellent supervision, became partially self-sufficient, had a monitored job and was able to improve his daily skills. He progressed sufficiently well to be able to move into “Independence House” for a while until he set off the smoke alarms which he couldn’t hear while cooking. Our local fire department solved the problem.

Jerry loved the Special Olympics, and David Lee taught him how to downhill ski after all of the family had tried and failed. Later, Jerry went on to snowshoe racing, which earned him a shot at the Inter-national Special Olympics in 1997, in Toronto, where ABC television did a short TV episode about him as the “oldest competitor” there. The Special Olympics personnel (God bless those folks!) included Jerry in the summer events as well.

Having moved into Assisted Living, Jerry was seen around Sandpoint walking or on his bike, although age had tempered those activities the past couple of years. It seemed that this community was on the lookout for Jerry and his welfare.

He is survived by brother Peter (Judy); four nephews and one niece. He was preceded in death by both parents, a sister and a brother-in-law.

Any memorials should be sent to Sandpoint Special Olympics or Panhandle Special Needs.

A memorial service will be held at a later-to-be-announced date.