Jerome “Jerry” Weisberg lived a life defined by curiosity, courage, and an open heart. He pursued love, adventure, creativity, spiritual understanding, and meaningful work with enthusiasm and very little fear. Jerry died consciously and peacefully at home at age 84 in Pinole, California, surrounded by family and close friends.

Born in Brooklyn to Jewish parents Irving Weisberg and Shirley (Sherbakoff) Weisberg, Jerry was raised in Miami Beach, Florida, where his lifelong love of the ocean, animals (especially birds), and the natural world took root. As a boy, he rode his bike to the pier, dove for tropical fish, and sold them to local pet stores. He went on to earn a BA in Psychology from the University of Miami and served six years in the Army Reserves as a medic.

Jerry graduated from Columbia Law School in 1964 and practiced law in Florida for 8 years as a criminal attorney and Municipal Judge, but eventually realized the legal profession did not suit his temperament or values. In the early 1970s, he left law behind and embarked on a bold period of reinvention, exploring communal living, natural foods, international travel, art, and entrepreneurship. In Coconut Grove, Florida he helped launch the area’s first natural food store and later founded trading businesses specializing in jewelry and tribal arts from the Americas and beyond.

Over the decades, Jerry’s ventures were many and varied—ranging from antiques dealing and art exhibitions to film-industry work with exotic birds. His curiosity never waned, and even his tax returns reflected a life rich with experimentation.

In 1974, Jerry met his third wife to be, Anna (Bashansci) Weisberg, in Peacock Park, Coconut Grove, Florida. After four years together, they married and went on to share 50 years of partnership and 46 years of marriage. Jerry supported Anna through her advanced education, moving with her to Massachusetts and later California. In California, Jerry built a respected career as an antique and ethnographic art dealer and appraiser. Later, he successfully transitioned to online sales, earning a perfect approval rating for thousands of items sold—something he took great pride in maintaining up until the final week of his life.

Jerry was an avid reader and passionate about tennis, photography, music, politics, hiking, gardening, beekeeping, lapidary work, painting, performance art, science, and ornithology. He loved parenting and spent countless hours exploring nature with his children and coaching youth sports.

A lifelong spiritual seeker, Jerry studied and practiced Buddhist meditation, Zen philosophy, Hindu traditions, and other mystical paths around the world. He identified as a Buddhist for much of his life and was not afraid of death, always expressing gratitude for being alive.

Jerry’s love language was helping others move forward. He was generous with his time, encouragement, and opportunities, especially with his family and close friends. During the pandemic years, he and Anna cherished slower days, shared lunches in their backyard, and the steady presence of birds and nature.

Jerry is survived by his wife Anna Weisberg and their son Aaron Weisberg and daughter in law, Kelsey Parker; his daughter, Dawn Weisberg and son-in-law James McCann; and many friends whose lives he touched deeply.

Jerry was an adventurous, optimistic, and generous soul. He will be dearly missed.