Jerry is survived by his wife Shana and their children Skylar, Storm, Dana and Jay.
While reflecting on his career when he retired from ABC7, Jerry said he had no intention of becoming a television meteorologist and became interested in the meteorology of flying aircraft.
He was a captain in the Texas Air Force when he took the local meteorologist to San Antonio for an advertising flight for the military. So that weather man turned the tables and put Jerry on the air.
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“They said we would give him fourteen fifty. I calculated $ 1,450 a month, bought new suits. It was $ 14.50 per show. I got my first check, it was $ 62,” he said.
Jerry was known for his sense of humor and his ability to laugh at mistakes.
Jerry’s colleagues on ABC7 shared some of their memories of him on Friday morning.
Tracy Butler recalled her work with the March of Dimes Sunshine Rally.
“Jerry was dedicated to the March of Dimes for decades and the Sunshine Rally was a rally where we all met in April and forecasters from around the Chicago area came together and forecast the great March of Dimes March. Jerry spearheaded this for years and I know he is also highly respected by meteorologists in this city and across the country.
Roz Varon recalled her famous laugh.
“I can hear it, I will always hear it. You will never forget it because it was so contagious. I would start laughing, you would start laughing and you couldn’t stop laughing,” said Varon.
At Jerry’s retirement Alan Krashesky said: “One of the things that makes him so accessible is the fact that he doesn’t take himself seriously, he takes seriously what he does professionally, never himself “
Also speaking when Jerry retired, Kathy Brock shared: “People remember laughter, I don’t know how many newscasts there have been where they get laughs.”
Jerry came to Chicago to work for NBC and moved to ABC7 in 1984.
We extend our condolences to the Taft family.
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