Jerome D. “Jerry” Wisnosky, 87

December 20, 1934 - November 14, 2022

Jerome D. (“Jerry”) Wisnosky, in his 88th year, passed away at home on Monday, 14th November 2022. He was born in Exeter, Pennsylvania to the late Anthony and Eleanor Wisnosky. Jerry graduated from high school in Exeter and then worked to save for his education. He served in the United States Navy at the end of the Korean conflict, aboard the USS Forrestal, one of the US’ first and largest aircraft carriers at the time. Upon his discharge, he received an undergraduate degree from Seton Hall College in South Orange, NJ, while also working and helping to raise his young family in the area. He earned a master’s degree in Chemistry from Franklin and Marshall College after relocating to Lancaster, PA. Jerry worked for Armstrong World Industries as a Vice President and Research Scientist until his retirement. He built a house and a life along the Little Conestoga Creek, and post-retirement, he stayed very active gardening in his self-designed backyard, where he often lost himself in nature and outside projects. He loved to see everything blossoming where it was planted. He was always willing to help a family member or neighbor with any household or outdoor project they needed a hand with.
Jerry also enjoyed physical fitness and could be found swimming at the Alumni Fitness Center at F&M for many years, where he had a lot of friends. He knew many in his neighborhood when he was an avid walker and he got to know all of their dogs. He had several dogs growing up and had a special place in his heart for these pets, as well as his daughter Michele’s horses.
He made a point of cultivating special relationships with his grandchildren, and all have various memories of Jerry’s wisdom, humor, and philosophic outlook as they spent time with him over their years, with many projects, visits to museums and gardens as highlights.
Family vacation memories from various state park campgrounds along the East coast abound. He also loved spending time traveling in the middle years of his life for work and with his wife Dolores, visiting Europe several times as well as a good portion of the US States and Canada. Jerry loved to visit Havre de Grace MD, and he spent time each month with family in that area to celebrate his wife Dolores’ life once she passed. He also was an avid reader throughout his life. Most recently he enjoyed novels that depicted the adventures and hardships of developing the West in the covered wagon days.
Two of his famous life quotes which will remembered were “It’s not how many times you fall down, but how many times you get back up,” and “Bloom where you are planted.” His family and friends will remember him for his embodiment of these mottos, for his persistence and flexibility in achieving goals, and for encouraging all to not be afraid to be unique and to explore their dreams and passions.
Jerome is survived by his four children, Jerome Wisnosky of Lancaster, PA, Michele Rivard of Clarksburg West Virginia, Laura Orlando of Timonium, Maryland, and JoEllen Wisnosky, of Lancaster, PA, as well as six grandchildren. His wife of 50 years, Dolores, passed in 2010. His two brothers Anthony and Robert preceded him in death as well.

A visitation will be held from 10 to 11 AM, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 AM with The Rev. Lawrence Sherdel as Celebrant, on Tuesday, November 22, 2002, at St. Philip the Apostle Catholic Church, 2111 Millersville Pike, Lancaster, PA 17603. Private interment will take place at Mount Olivet Cemetery, Wyoming, PA. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Lancaster County, hospiceandcommunitycare.org or to the Arbor Day Foundation shop.arborday.org