Jerry Norman Harwin

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Jerome Harwin of Santa Barbara, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, and friend to many. He passed away peacefully in his sleep on July 1, 2012 with family by his side. He was born on October 22, 1911, one of a pair of identical twins, in Fargo, North Dakota. At the age of three, the family moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota and later at the age of twelve moved to Los Angeles, California. Jerry attended Wilton Peace Grammar School, John Burroughs Junior High School (where he was valedictorian of his class), and then attended Los Angeles High School. He enrolled in the School of Commerce where he majored in accounting at University of Southern California. In 1935, Jerry married his first wife, Bess Miller and worked in the retail jewelry trade as a sales person. In 1938, Jerry and Bess moved to La Crosse, Wisconsin where he managed his uncle's jewelry store. It was during this period (5 years), that Jerry earned his Eagle Scout Badge and served as a First Mate of the Sea Scout Ship and President of B'nai B'rith Lodge. In 1943, Jerry and family moved to Ventura, California where he managed the Hamilton Diamond Company. Jerry also enlisted in the U.S. Merchant Marines, during this time, and served overseas on the Alcoa Pennant. He received honorable discharge from the United States Coast Guard in 1944. In late 1944, Jerry and his twin brother Lionel bought a small leather goods store on State Street in Santa Barbara and opened Harwin Jewelers. Later the following year, Lionel moved to San Jose and opened a Harwin Jewelers there. Jerry's leadership in Santa Barbara has been prolific with too many honorary roles to list them all, but it is important to share some of his highlights. During his first year in Santa Barbara, Jerry became a member of the Santa Barbara Lions Club and in 1953 served as President. Two years later he was elected District Governor of all the Lion's Clubs in the Tri-Counties area. The following year he was elected Exalted Ruler of the Elks Lodge #613. Jerry was an active sport enthusiast and served with his closest friend, Caesar Uyesaka in managing the establishment of the Santa Barbara Dodger Baseball Team. For his outstanding support of Athletics Programs at UCSB, he was voted in as an Honorary Alumni. He and Caesar founded the original UCSB Gaucho Hoop Club, and together with Caesar and Bill Bertka founded the Santa Barbara Athletic Round Table. Jerry's most memorable legacy would have to be his establishment of Las Positas Park, now known as Elings Park; the largest privately funded Public Park in America. Transforming 100 plus acres of a city dump into a beautiful and active park with ball fields, play and picnic areas, Vietnam Veterans Living Memorial and more. The road to get into the park is appropriately named, Jerry Harwin Parkway. Jerry was preceded in death by his twin brother, Lionel, his sister Irene, his first wife, Bess, his second wife, Sylvia, his daughter in-law, Barbara, and his grandson, Howard. Survivors are his two sons, Edward (Indu) and Joel (Linda), Robin Satnick (David), Scott (Hollanda) and Myla Harwin, and great-grandchildren Jered, Sean, Ilana, Jason, Mariah, Alix, Evan, and Connor. The family would like to thank the support and care Jerry and the family received from staff members at Maravilla, Goleta Valley Cottage Hospital ICU, and the Serenity House. In Lieu of Flowers, remembrances may be made to any of the following: Elings Park Foundation (Harwin Legacy) P.O. Box 30818 - S.B. 93130-0818; Santa Barbara Lion's Club, Santa Barbara Athletic Round Table P.O. Box 3813 Santa Barbara, CA 93130; or B'nai B'rith Temple, 1000 San Antonio Creek Road, Santa Barbara 93111. Memorial services and burial will be held on Thursday, July 5, 2012 at Santa Barbara Cemetery, 901 Channel Drive at 10:00am. The family will be receiving guest immediately after the service at the B'nai B'rith Temple, 1000 San Antonio Creek Road.

Jerry Norman Harwin

October 22, 1911 - July 1, 2012