Jerome "Jerry" Joseph Tooley

Jerome Joseph Tooley, 89, passed away on November 25, 2020. He was born on October 12, 1931 to the late Stanley & Mary Tooley. He grew up on the eastside of Indianapolis and attended Our Lady of Lourdes and Cathedral. After high school, he enlisted in the United States Navy where he served on aircraft carriers off the coast of Korea during the war. After being honorably discharged, he began a bricklayer apprenticeship with F.A. Wilhelm and later founded his own company, JJ Tooley Masonry. He was a member of BAC Local 4 and worked as a mason until his retirement. A lifelong admirer of firefighters, he became a state certified EMT at the age of 65 and was accepted onto the Bargersville Volunteer Fire Department.

He married Joanne Watts in 1961. Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, brother Paul Tooley and sister-in-law Bernadine Tooley. He is survived by his wife, five children Jan (Mike) Gross, Lisa (Jeff) Smirz, Tom (Cheryl) Tooley, Beth (Joe) Mills and Megan (Aaron) Wyant; nine grandchildren Matt (Ann) Ervin, Abby Ervin, Jessica Tooley, Ryan Tooley, Connor (Sam) Tooley, Caitlin (Tony) Brown, Jake Mills, Jordan Tooley and Morgan Wyant; one great-grandchild Maci Baker, brother Bob Tooley, two sister-in-laws Sue Bartley and Judy Tooley, and several nieces and nephews. Lovingly known as ‘Pops’ to his grandchildren, he was a regular fixture at their many football, basketball, baseball and softball games, cross country and track meets. He could always be seen on the sidelines, but was always the first one off the bleachers once the game ended so that he could beat the traffic rush.

Throughout his life, he volunteered his skills as a mason at St. Andrews, Our Lady of Lourdes and Irvington Little League. He was a loyal blood donor at Indiana Blood Center and volunteered at Calvary Cemetery. Jerry enjoyed attending USAC sprints & midget races on Indiana’s short tracks as well as fishing local ponds. He loved dogs and had many loyal sidekicks throughout the years. Never one to turn down a cold beverage, he especially enjoyed cracking one open while spending time lounging around the pool with his family during the summer.

Jerry’s family would like to thank Main Street Hospice for the loving care they provided him in his final days.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Donations can be made to the Indiana Blood Center or Scecina Memorial High School Athletics program in honor of Jerry.