Jerry Briskey

JERRY BRISKEY Coralville Jerry C. Briskey, 64, a lifelong Coralville resident, suddenly passed away Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2014, at Mercy Iowa City due to complications from COPD. Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 14, at Lensing's Oak Hill in Coralville, with the Rev. John Hershberger officiating. Visitation will be Monday from 4 to 7 p.m. at the funeral home. Burial will be in Oak Hill Cemetery, Coralville. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established. Jerry was the owner of Briskey Cabinet Co. Coralville's oldest family-owned business. Jerry started as a youngster sweeping floors for his father, Clarence, on the weekends for his allowance. From sweeping floors, he worked his way up to countertop fabricator and managed the business for over 30 years. At age 19, he was working full-time at the shop as well as working evenings at Charco's Drive-In Restaurant on the Coralville Strip ? saving up to marry the girl he had met on a blind date, Lianne Hughson. They married in 1970 and later had two daughters, Alicia and Lindsey. In the late 1960s, Briskey Cabinet Co. started making custom post-formed laminate countertops. In 1987, DuPont Corian trained Jerry as a certified solid surface fabricator in Pennsylvania. Jerry's dedication and hard work was the backbone of Briskey Cabinet Co. He would sacrifice evenings and weekends and rarely took a vacation to get the jobs done. Always the perfectionist, he insisted on the quality and workmanship Briskey's is known for. Jerry enjoyed pheasant hunting and fishing and was a member of Pheasants Forever and the Wild Turkey Federation. In 1975, he started to play golf. Excelling at the game, he played in leagues at Fairview, High Point and Pleasant Valley. When he retired from the golf course, he took up grilling and cooking. From soups to brownies to homemade ice cream, he loved finding new recipes in his library of cookbooks. His latest passion was grilling with his Big Green Egg. Jerry is survived by his wife, Lianne, of 44 years; daughter, Alicia Murray (Brett Murray); granddaughter, Sophie; grandson, Chase; daughter, Lindsey Briskey, and granddaughter, Lily; sister, Carol Potter (Terry); and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father and mother, Clarence and Irma Briskey. Thoughts may be shared with the family at www.lensingfuneral.com.