Jerome David Meiswick

Jerome David Meiswick, 81, of Cape Coral, FL and formerly of Ridgely, MD, and Brighton, MI, passed away Monday, February 12, 2024 in Fort Myers, FL. He was born on June 24, 1942 in Philadelphia, PA to parents Albert John and Virginia Anne Meiswick.

Jerome attended Albion College, was a proud member of the Stoolies, served as a Veteran of the United States National Guard, and deployed to serve and protect during the Detroit Riot of 1967. In the early ‘70s, Jerome happily transitioned from his accounting desk job to an active and rewarding construction career in Tawas, MI. He later honed his skills in Texas, learning everything, soup-to-nuts construction. After a good Texas run, Jerome made his way back up north to Maryland where he worked on residential and commercial projects. Eventually he settled down in Ridgely, MD with his former wife and true love, Merrily Margaret “Maggie” Haven, who he fondly referred to as “Sweetie” and “The Empress of the Eastern Shore.” There, Jerome took on his passion project of renovating their 1885 Ridgely farmhouse and providing the perfect family reunion hotspot for many years to come. Their art studio-workshop kept creative juices flowing while Jerome managed multiple rental homes in the Annapolis area. This Ridgely home-base afforded the couple precious time near their younger daughter and two grandsons. In 2021, Jerome and Maggie retired to Cape Coral, FL to live near their eldest daughter, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.

Jerome was endlessly creative and enthusiastic in his play. In the ‘60s, frisbee was becoming a popular game. Jerome jumped into the mix helping to build his team composed of lifelong buddies and their wives. With his inane humor, he introduced them as “The Humbly Magnificent Champions of the Universe!” HMCU for short. His gusto for frisbee was unbounded and provided fun-filled family trips to competitions across the country and Canada. The HMCU family made wonderful friends all over and was much loved for its humor and fairness.

Jerome, aka: “JD” and “Pappy” handed down his culinary expertise, project planning, building, painting, camping, and survivalist skills. He was like a kid before Christmas as Y2K loomed with the possibility of total systems collapse. He prepared by teaching his loved ones how to shoot a gun should they need to hunt for food or protect property from evildoers. On January 1^st, when all was running smoothly, his email read, “No power outage at midnight, so I had to disconnect services at the pole and then gather and march all neighbors into town at gunpoint for supplies.”

Always looking out for the younger driver, Jerome taught them how to properly do doughnuts in the snow and come out of the spin just right! He was a natural teacher to the right audience- better listen up! A man of few words who let his actions do the talking. He started with the fundamentals, explained the whys, then served as your best cheerleader forevermore. A true sportsman, Jerome was a fanatically determined golfer who made sure to pass along his talents and secrets to grandsons, MJ and Josh. As the boys grew, he cut clubs to size ensuring just the right swing. Pool, darts, and target shooting were also great guy fun with equal precision. The boys knew if they ever beat Pappy, they had really improved because Pappy plays to win! His granddaughters, Lindsey and Heather, revered him and soaked in not only his occasional words of wisdom, but more so his dry sense of humor, which they have folded into their personalities going forward. One of the finest things he accomplished in his life was making his grandchildren feel appreciated, respected, and heard.

Jerome respected everyone the same and believed every person, regardless of age or background, had unique information and experience to offer. Humble and curious to learn from anyone, he was forever searching for the secrets of the universe (he thought to exist in many forms from many sources). Through his own actions, he taught the importance of accepting others based on their character. He was a fierce defender of the underdog in nearly any situation and enjoyed the Average Joe. He found great delight in long conversations over a beer or toddy. No matter what was said, he had a way of making everyone feel it was the most interesting and amazing thing he had ever heard. As if in total astonishment, with eyes wide open, he declared- “Holy Smokes!...You’re Kidding Me!!... WHAAAT?!!!.... Really?!!...E-GAD!!” If you were lucky enough to make him laugh hysterically, the sound of his laughter was a gift you carried for life!

Jerome is dearly remembered for his extreme generosity and his gentle soul, his singalongs playing guitar with friends and family, his beautiful song writing and imaginative sci-fi stories. His love language was showing acts of service. He is remembered and appreciated for moving home to lovingly cook and care for his aging mother, and later, providing the same care to his cherished Aunt Faith and Uncle Jack Brooks in their final years. If Jerome could help, he did… with few words and no expectations. Devoted to all living things, needless to say, he was a vegetarian.

Jerome was preceded in death by his parents Virginia A. McGill (Meiswick), Albert J. Meiswick, and his stepfather, Gerald McGill. Most recently, Jerome tragically lost his younger brother Anthony “Tony” McGill who had come to visit and care for him. Each day Tony would bring Jerome his favorite biscuits and gravy breakfast and make him smile with family stories and guy talk from the way-back machine. True acts of a brother’s love.

Jerome is survived by his loving partner, Merrily Margaret Haven of Cape Coral, FL; their children, Haley Bianca (Paul) of Cape Coral, FL, and Kristin Winter (Mike Blakeman) of Forest Hill, MD; brother, Jack McGill (Dianne) of Brighton, MI; sister, Melody McGill (Vincent DeLeonardis) of Vero Beach, FL; sister-in-law, Tracy McGill of Brighton, MI; five grandchildren, Lindsey, MJ, Heather, Josh and Vincent; four great-grandchildren, and seven nieces and nephews.  No words can express how sorely he will be missed.

Memorial Contributions in memory of Jerome David Meiswick are suggested to your local SPCA or any music program that teaches musical skills to children who are financially underserved.

No formal services are being held at this time; however, plans are being made for a Celebration of Life to be held the summer of 2024.

Mullins Memorial Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Cape Coral, is entrusted with final care.