Dr. Gerald "Jerry" W. Perritt, 75, died on the morning of Saturday, October 6, 2018 at Gulfside Hospice in Zephyrhills, FL. Jerry started his life as the rebel oldest son in an upstart steel family in Lorain, OH. His successes in life can be attributed to the independent spirit and resilience he learned as a youth with his brother, Bill. His life came to a close shortly after spending a romantic second honeymoon with Gail, his wife, visiting their favorite places of San Francisco, Napa, Tahoe and Chicago. Jerry and Gail serendipitously met in downtown Chicago, where they both found respite from the pouring rain at the Armenian restaurant Sayat Nova Gail remaining for an after-dinner cocktail and Jerry entering from the downpour to meet his greatest love and wife of 25 years. Jerry was a modern-day renaissance man. He was a student, earning his B.S. from Ohio University, M.S. at Xavier University, and Ph.D. at the University of Kentucky. Jerry was a teacher and professor at Babson College, University of Miami, Florida International University, Ball State, DePaul University, and St. Leo University. Jerry was a writer, penning seven books, publishing three financial advisory newsletters across three decades, and contributing to numerous articles in Forbes, Barrons, Money and the likes. He was an entrepreneur and pioneer in the investment world, establishing Perritt Capital Management in the late 1980s and creating three small-cap mutual funds. Jerry was an uncle and mentor to many nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, and friends. Jerry loved to travel, cook, fish, and golf with his wife Gail. In his later years, Jerry started Legacy Coins and Collectibles, and became an artist and philanthropist, offering his financial knowledge and prosperity to a womens shelter and an orphanage, spending time giving a hand up to those in need in the Dade City area. Jerry was a magician in his life and in his work, using his wit, tenacity, and intelligence to build wealth, create smiles, and establish enduring relationships.

Jerry is survived by his wife - Gail Helledy Perritt; brother - William Perritt (Diane);nephews, nieces, grandnephews, grandnieces - Ryan Griggs (Tracy, Audrey), Tina Cohen (Howie, Alexandra, Andrew, Mathew), Kurt Helledy (David, Derek), Jody Tinsley, Jennifer Jackson (David), Gene Zimmerman (Maggie, Evan, Abby), Greg Zimmerman (Tara, Brynn, Mairin), Aaron Spears (Alison, Bo, Tyson); in-laws - Joan Spears (Curt), John Helledy (Debbie), Berit Helledy; and life-long companion - Dianne Click (Kevin, Hannah, Sarah). He was preceded in death by his younger sister - Jean Griggs; and his mother and father Bessie and Joe Perritt.

Visitation and funeral services will be held on Wednesday, October 10 th , 2018 at Hodges Family Funeral Home 11441 U.S. Hwy 301 Dade City, FL. Family and friends are welcome during visitation hours from 1-2 PM followed by funeral and graveside services from 2-3 PM. Donations in Jerrys memory are encouraged to support either Restored Hope or Sunrise of Pasco County Domestic & Sexual Violence Center.

Hodges Family Funeral Home & Cremation Center

Hodges Family Funeral Home & Cremation Center