Jerome Francis “Jerry” Enright

Jerome Francis “Jerry” Enright, an Elmhurst resident, passed away peacefully in Naples, Florida surrounded by his family. He was 54. Anyone who met Jerry would quickly come to realize they were in for an adventure. He was a larger than life presence and would greet a friend the same as a stranger, with energy and enthusiasm as if he had known you for years. Jerry was born during a Chicago snowstorm in 1965. He grew up in Oak Park, IL in a neighborhood filled with characters and nicknames. As one of seven siblings, there was no shortage of battles and stories at 174 N. Elmwood Avenue. He attended Oak Park River Forest High School where he excelled in the pool and developed his lifelong love of the water. He continued to swim throughout his life. He attended Western Illinois University and was a proud Leatherneck from “the Harvard of the Midwest”. After graduation, he lived in Chicago and honed his comedy skills, taking classes at Second City alongside several future SNL cast members. It was in Chicago that he got started on another lifelong passion, the safety business. He sold safety supplies for many years and opened Vision Safety where “safety never takes a vacation”. His most recent work was for JW Watts where he was affectionately known as the Mayor of Terminal 5 where he could often be found holding court for the crew at O’Hare airport. Jerry was a committed family man with a deep love of the extended Enright family. He was the consummate holiday host for the large Enright family, where was famous for his smoked brisket. He was a proud father to his three precious boys and loved to support them on the field, the stage, and the classroom. As a lover of sports, Jerry could often be found at his sons many sporting events. For several years, he was the Voice of the Knights, announcing his son’s football games while also keeping the fans entertained with his “faces in the crowd” segment. He was a loyal White Sox fan who suffered until 2005, when he attended the World Series to watch his Sox in a memorable Game 1 victory. Jerry lived in Elmhurst for more than 20 years and was a fixture at every neighborhood block party, Friday night happy hour, and his “midnight realtor” business. He held an annual Chili Cook-off, where he would end the event announcing the winners from atop the bar while keeping the group entertained with an impromptu comedy routine. As a long-time member of the Divine Infant Golf League, he was an occasional challenger for the league title, but more focused on enjoying the camaraderie at the 19th hole. Jerry lived for his annual Long Island fishing trips, where he regularly was the last to catch a fish and graciously treated his partners to dinner afterwards. He competed in the US Masters swimming events earning himself a trip to San Diego and a 10th place national finish in his event. Jerry was generous to a fault, he would do anything for a friend, had a heart of gold, and loved to laugh. Jerry was the devoted father of Jack, Liam and Ryan; loving brother of Charlie (Betty) Enright, Mike Enright, Joe Enright, Bill (Jeanne) Enright, Mary (Ray) Cronin, and Patrick (Kris) Enright; cherished son of Margaret “Peg”, nee Mahoney and the late William Enright; loving uncle of Rebecca, Chris, Genevieve, Cathy, Mikey, Jackie, Julie, Shawn, Grace, Joe, Luc, Shane, MeMe, Tommy, Finn, and Isabella; dear nephew of Patricia Phelan; cousin of many; former spouse of Karen McNulty Enright. Visitation Monday, 3:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. and Tuesday, 8:00 a.m. until time of funeral 9:00 a.m. at Gibbons Funeral Home, 134 South York Road, (½ mile North of Saint Charles Road), Elmhurst. Mass of Christian Burial 9:30 a.m. at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. Interment Queen of Heaven Catholic Cemetery, Hillside. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Enright Children Education Fund. For funeral information please call 630-832-0018 or www.gibbonsfuneralhome.com