Jerold (Jerry) Edward Musial 

Jerry Musial, 71, passed away on Wednesday August 21, 2024 at his home in Missoula, Montana surrounded by his family. He was born on January 29, 1953 in Kenosha, Wisconsin to Jean and Edward Musial. He is survived by his spouse Cindy, daughter Melanie, son-in-law Efrain Marquez, grand dog Albie, father Ed, brother and sister-in-law Paul and Shelly Musial, sister Carol Kadrich, sister and brother-in-law Jane and Steve Mast, sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law Linda and Peter Bierbach and Joe and Renee Mysliwy, and nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his mother Jean and brother Tom. 

From Kenosha, Jerry’s family moved to South Milwaukee, Wisconsin where he completed elementary and high school graduating in 1971. He had fond memories of growing up on Blake Avenue making lifelong friends, playing outside in nearby fields and neighbors’ yards, and playing in never ending basketball games in the Musial’s backyard. He attended college at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and received a bachelor's degree in mass communication. Jerry and Cindy were married in 1975 and had their only daughter, Melanie, in 1984. During his career, Jerry served as the production manager for WXOW-Channel 19 in La Crosse, Wisconsin and then served as the Cable Communications Director for the City of West Allis for over 20 years, retiring in 2016. For many years, Jerry was a Board member for the National Association of Telecommunications, Officers, and Advisors (NATOA). In this role, he led the government programming awards committee.

Almost every summer, Jerry, Cindy, and Melanie visited their family (the Bierbachs) in Montana. While on vacation, Jerry enjoyed rafting, hiking, and backpacking with Peter, Linda, and their sons, Hunter and Simon. In 2016, Jerry and Cindy moved to Missoula, Montana. 

Throughout his life, Jerry highly valued staying physically fit, participating in triathlons, bike and running races. Along with his other activities, he was an avid golfer and worked out at the gym daily. Jerry was known for his appetite that never caught up with him, his cooking skills, his green thumb for flowers, enjoying planting and seeing them grow in his gardens, his love of dancing, especially to the song “Shout” at weddings, and his extensive trivia knowledge. Jerry was always creative and had a wonderful sense of humor, loving being that “wild and crazy guy.” Above all, Jerry enjoyed life and dearly loved his family and friends. 

A memorial service in honor of Jerry’s life will be held on Friday, September 13th from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Molthen Bell Funeral Home, 700 Milwaukee Avenue, South Milwaukee. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests any donations to be made in Jerry’s honor to the Providence Montana Health Foundation.

https://foundation.providence.org/montana