DOMBEK, GERALD (JERRY) E.

Jerry Dombek, also known as “Oso” & “Catman” died Valentine’s Day February 14^th, 2014 of natural causes. Born July 11, 1941 in Salamanca NY, he was son to Angeline R. Dombek & Raymond J. Dombek and biological son to Louis T. Jimerson of Seneca Tribe, Cattaraugus Indian Reservation, who all have predeceased him. When Jerry was 10 yrs old, he moved to Olean, NY with his parents and grew up with 4 younger brothers. He attended Olean High School. In 1962 he married Betty J. Baer and moved to Rochester NY, where he eventually retired from General Motors. In 1985 Jerry followed his daughter to Phoenix AZ where he soon became Grampa Oso, spending his extraordinarily active retirement years with his family. He hiked, traveled, camped, obtained his scuba certifications, published Southwest Diver Magazine, was an active member of Central Arizona Tall Society (CATS), AOTC and a lifetime member of Roadrunner Prospecting Club. In recent years, he settled down and adopted many feral cats, who he spayed, neutered and cared for. He is survived by his daughter, Gerry Dombek of Phoenix AZ, sons, Thomas Dombek of Camillus NY, and Raleigh Dombek of Phoenix; four grandchildren, Jayna Dombek, Jacob Dombek, Joshua Dombek of NC, and Sidney Aronsohn of Phoenix; chosen family Coleen Carpenter and Stephanie Benford; four brothers, Martin Dombek of Ischua NY, Daniel Dombek of Hinsdale NY, Christopher Dombek of Tolono IL, and Andrew Dombek of Hinsdale NY; and four half-siblings. Memorial Services will be held on Saturday, March 1^st at 2pm at Whitney & Murphy Funeral Home, 4800 E Indian School Rd, Phoenix AZ. Celebratory “Pot Luck” luncheon immediately following at Whitney & Murphy. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Gerry Dombek for funeral services or to Animal Defense League of Arizona www.adlaz.org for supporting them in protecting and defending Arizona’s animals.