Demetrio G. Jaremenko

Demetrio “Jerry” Jaremenko, 74, passed away September 24th peacefully in his home after a long and courageous battle with Parkinson’s Disease and Dementia.

He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Marsha (Gorsky) Jaremenko; his two sisters; Lissa Yewshenko, Silvia Camson; his two sons; Jason and his wife Leah and their children; Matthew and his wife Meghan and their children; his daughter Heather Ortiz and her husband Bobby, and their son Vincenzo; his nieces and nephews, along with other family members and many close family friends.

He precedes his late mother, Dagmara Jaremenko; his late father, Dymtro Jaremenko; his late brother, Anatoli Jaremenko; and his nephew Davi Jaremenko.

Jerry was born in Sao Paulo, Brazil. He came to the states at 8 years old and began his young life in New Jersey before settling later in life with his wife, Marsha, in Bucks County, Pennsylvania.

Jerry was the first member of his family to graduate college from Salem College in West Virginia. After being injured while playing college football, Jerry followed his interest in photography and worked for The Star Ledger Newspaper out of Newark, New Jersey. He shared many stories of the places he traveled and celebrities he met and photographed, one of his favorites being the famous Brazilian soccer star, Pele.

Jerry met his wife Marsha in Nutley, New Jersey. They were both living in the same apartment complex. Jerry was walking by with his dog and they started chatting. They were married in 1978 in Tarrytown, New York. Jerry and Marsha had been married 46 years. 

Jerry began working for his family jewelry business in Somerville, New Jersey. He went on to open his own jewelry store with his wife Marsha named Kries Jeweler, in Flemington, New Jersey. Jerry and Marsha ran the store for 35 years and made their mark in Flemington as they were very involved with the town and community.

Jerry took a lot of pride in his store and worked a 6 day work week for the entirety. Jerry and Marsha created many friendships in Flemington due to their involvement in holiday events, car shows and the Flemington Business Association. He will be missed greatly by all who knew him and befriended him in the town.

Jerry was very proud of his three children. His twin sons were skillful chefs who attended the Culinary Institute of America. They decided to keep cooking as a hobby and pursued successful careers. He always talked about his “boys” and was always boasting about their successes. His daughter was his “little girl” who shared many of the same interests as him. She graduated with a degree in teaching and became an English as a Second Language teacher because of her love of culture and children. She also shared an intense love for animals like Jerry, making him save every hurt animal they found. Jerry loved showing endless pictures of his children and their milestones to anyone and everyone. 

Jerry developed a love for scuba diving later in his life. He loved going on vacations with Marsha to pursue this passion, their favorite being the Cayman Islands. Jerry combined his love of photography with scuba diving and took many magnificent underwater photos. 

Jerry was quite the biker: his favorite places being Frenchtown, New Jersey and Carversville, Pennsylvania. He went on many rides with his children and wife. Jerry enjoyed the outdoors and bike riding brought him a sense of peace and calmness.

Jerry “bled green” as they say. He loved watching the Philadelphia Eagles with his family. He loved cheering on the Eagles with Marsha throughout their lives and had plenty of Eagles gear between the two of them. Even up to his last months, he would ask Marsha when the game was on.

Jerry was an animal lover through and through. Throughout the years, there were many pets that were incredibly important to him and his family. He loved his dogs, his pot bellied pigs, geese, ducks, bunnies and more. Jerry took great pride in his koi pond and made sure everyone who visited their home in Doylestown, Pennsylvania had a chance to see it.

Though Jerry had many passions throughout his life, becoming a grandfather was at the top of this list. He treasured the time and memories he made with all five grandchildren. You never saw him smiling more than when his grandchildren were by his side. He enjoyed gazebo dinners, catching lightning bugs, recital performances, holiday meals and simple moments, like going to Dilly’s or feeding the ducks. “Dida”, as he was lovingly called, will be greatly missed by his grandchildren. 

Jerry “Dida” Jaremenko bravely battled Parkinson’s and Dementia for over an 8 year span. His family was by his side throughout the difficult decline, especially the last couple of months. His wife took incredible care of him in their home, making sure he was properly treated and kept as comfortable as possible. Though Jerry had many nurses and aides who helped him, Brandi became one of the closest people to him nearing his end of life and our family is incredibly grateful for her care and support. To all who knew him and loved him, he will be deeply missed. 

In conclusion, here is a quote about the ocean, a place Jerry felt calm, happy and peaceful, and that’s how we want to remember him. “Grief is like the ocean. It comes in waves, ebbing and flowing. Sometimes the water is calm, sometimes overwhelming. All we can do is learn to swim.”

Rest in peace and comfort Jerry “Dida” Jaremenko.

Donations can be made to the Parkinson’s Foundation, 1359 Broadway #1509, New York, NY 10018.

A memorial service will be held Friday, September 27, 2024, at 12:00 PM in the Holcombe-Fisher Funeral Home, 147 Main Street, Flemington, New Jersey. Interment will be private. Calling hours will be held on Friday, September 27, 2024, from 11:00-12:00 PM in the funeral home.

For further information or to send an online condolence please visit his Tribute Wall at www.holcombefisher.com.