Norfolk —Gerald “Jerry” H. Stein, beloved husband of Arlene, of blessed memory, and cherished father of Steve and Cindy Stein, Lisa and Mark Delevie, Craig Stein and Debra and Marc Levy, brother of Katherine Kapler and brother-in-law of Richard Shea, passed away peacefully in Boca Raton, Fla., on October 30, 2014.
He was pre-deceased by his mother Rose Schwartz Stein, brother, Herbert Stein and sister-in-law Rhonda Stein.
Mr. Stein was a co-founder of Grand Furniture and a leader in the local business community for over 60 years. He grew the business from a small storefront to a multi-store local chain employing over 300 employees servicing every Hampton Roads city.
Jerry was a generous philanthropist and it was often said “that Jerry wasn’t livin’ unless he was givin.” He established the Stein Family Scholarship in memory of his dear wife Arlene, helping put numerous area students through four years of college. He quietly supported individuals and the local community wherever he saw a need he felt he could help meet. As grandfather, “Pop” was so proud of his grandchildren: Melanie and her husband Eric Grossman, Samantha and her husband Josh Cohn, Ariel Stein and his wife Jocelyn, Lauren Seltzer, Seth Levy and his wife Michelle, Shea Levy and his wife Alyssa, Matt Stein and Madison Stein, as well as Michael Schneider, David Schneider, Nicole Delevie and Matthew Delevie, and delighted by his three great-grand children, Sloane Grossman, Ziva Levy and Levi Stein. He will be missed by his numerous first cousins, friends and long-time buddy, Ernest Godfrey.
He was a stand-out athlete at Maury High School, where he earned a scholarship to play football at the University of Maryland. But most of all he was a loving father, husband and grandfather, a true pater familias whose love of family and generous spirit are so beautifully reflected in his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were held at Temple Beth El with burial at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Norfolk. Contributions may be made to the Stein Family Scholarship, (757) 965- 6105, studor@ujft.org. H.D. Oliver Funeral Apts. Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.hdoliver.com.