Obituary: Jerome (Jerry) Martin Sugarman

Jerome (Jerry) Martin Sugarman passed away on Dec. 22, 2022 at the age of 81. Jerry was proud to be a native Atlantan – as were his late parents, Margaret and Harry Sugarman. He is a graduate of Grady High School and received a degree from Georgia Tech in radio engineering. As a young man, Jerry worked for WQXI and WPLO radio stations as an engineer and a talk show host. He spent most of his adult life working for Dunk ‘n Dine and Happy Herman’s as manager in the restaurants and the gourmet grocery stores.

Mr. Sugarman and his wife, Janet, were lifelong devotees of B’nai B’rith Youth Organization (BBYO), B’nai B’rith and B’nai B’rith Women. Not only did they meet as teenagers when they were in BBYO, their children carried on the tradition with their leadership roles in all levels of BBYO. After high school, Jerry continued his involvement as an advisor to several BBYO chapters. He then went on to be president of B’nai B’rith’s Kehillah Lodge and District 5. Additionally, Jerry rose through the ranks of the adult BBYO boards, including serving on the International BBYO Commission and receiving the highest honor, the Gold Key Award.

Jerry was an avid collector – he collected everything – coins, stamps, Coke bottles, vintage beer cans, flashlights and anything related to the 1996 Olympics held in Atlanta, Ga. But his favorite things to collect were the laughs from people he loved. He was a jokester, but all of his jokes were loving ones.

He was the devoted husband of Janet for 57 years, the proud father of Kevin (Leigh Ann) Sugarman and Korrie (Josh) Silpe, the brother of Kenneth (Ken) and Michael (Mike) Sugarman and the beloved grandfather of Andrew (Drew) Silpe, Chase Pena, Aiden and Evan Sugarman.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation to B’nai B’rith Youth Organization https://bbyo.org/donate.

The funeral was held at Crest Lawn Memorial Park on Dec. 26, 2022 with Rabbi Eric Feld officiating. Arrangements by Dressler’s, 770-451-4999.