Gerald Drucker passed away peacefully at home under Hospice care surrounded by his family on April 4, 2024. He was born May 26, 1952 in New York, N.Y. to Estelle (Stahl) and George Drucker and spent his youth growing up and going to school in the New York area.

Jerry spent his childhood and teen summers on Ocean Beach, Fire Island where he formed enduring friendships with family and friends. He was a member of the lifeguard team and developed his love of and skill in surfing. After graduating from Fieldstone High School he followed his surfing dream to the Southern California coast and attended UC Irvine. He left college after a year and moved on to the beaches of Mexico to focus his studies on surfing. He returned to academics and graduated from Bard College in psychology before moving to Santa Barbara to continue his studies. During his time at UCSB he balanced his academics with more surfing and met his to-be spouse, Lynda McDevitt. He graduated in 1983 with a Ph.D in psychology and a minor in surfing.

Jerry moved to Regina, Sask., Canada to be employed at the Merici Center, an early childhood intervention center. There he and Lynda were married and shortly after had their first son, Michael. This was a time of professional growth, devotion to his new family, the development of long-time friends and, as any ocean was over a thousand miles away, an enthusiasm for cross-country skiing.

After four years in Canada the call of the Pacific Ocean and family led to a return to California. Jerry, Lynda and Michael made their home in Westhaven and in 1992 added their son, Jesse, to the family. There Jerry expanded his sports enthusiasm to include mountain biking, downhill skiing and backpacking. Through these activities he developed strong friendships and offered fabulous adventures to his family.

Jerry was employed at the Redwood Coast Regional Center, which provides services for clients with developmental disabilities and their families. Jerry stayed at the RCRC for 34 years. He also worked a day per week at Hoopa Valley Tribe, Division of Human Services for 17 years and also had a private practice in Eureka. In each of these settings he was known to provide caring advocacy and compassionate counsel to his many clients and established warm bonds with his colleagues in the centers he worked at.

Jerry suffered a series of strokes in 2019, which preceded the final stroke in March 2024. His capabilities as an excellent athlete and brilliant mind were diminished over these years but the playfulness, interest in sports, humor, and generosity were never diminished. He will be remembered as a warmhearted being who loved life to the fullest.

Jerry is survived by his wife of 40 years, Lynda McDevitt; his sons, Michael and Jesse Drucker, their respective partners, Ivonne Romero and Madeline Cooper; his nieces, Sarah Dowling, Jessica Houlder and Devon Marvel; his brothers-in-law and sister-in-law, Ray and Mary McDevitt and Ben Dowling; and numerous grand-nephews and nieces and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, Estelle and George Drucker; his sister, Lauri Dowling; and cousin Risa Krive.

A memorial will be held at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship in Arcata on August 3 from 1-4 p.m.