Michael Jerald

Michael Jerald, 82, of Brattleboro, Vermont and Narragansett, Rhode Island passed away on Thursday, January 16, 2025, from Parkinson’s disease complications. He was born in Providence, Rhode Island on September 18, 1942 to Lewis and Barbara (Washington) Jerald.  His brother Jeffrey Jerald (Dale Jerald) passed away in 2013.

Mike leaves his wife of 61 years, Judith (Beaudoin) Jerald of Narragansett, Rhode Island. Mike also leaves his cherished daughters, Pamela Jerald (Aaron Bristol) of Brattleboro, Vermont, Mitra Jerald, (Rafael Gonzalez) of Atlanta, Georgia, and Michelle Jerald of Coventry, Rhode Island as well as his adored granddaughter, Veronica McKay of East Providence, Rhode Island.  Mike’s nephew Jake Jerald (Kara Churas) was also dear to him.

Mike grew up in Warwick, RI. Mike and Judie dated in high school, graduated from the University of Rhode Island, and married in 1964.  They joined the Peace Corps in 1965 and served for two years as English teachers in Kozan, Turkey.  After recruiting for the Peace Corps for one year, Mike was selected to be a Peace Corps Fellow in Washington DC after which he was appointed to be an Associate Peace Corps Director in Iran.  Mike, Judie, and daughter Pam lived in Tehran for 3 ½ years, where Mitra and Michelle were born.

Mike received a Master of Arts in Teaching (English as a Second/Foreign Language) from the School for International Training (SIT) in Brattleboro, Vermont in 1974. He then joined the faculty of SIT for 34 years as an associate professor, assistant director, consultant trainer, Director of the Japan Masters of Arts in Teaching Program and the SIT Summer Master Program.  He had many roles at SIT and around the world, and was a Fulbright Scholar in El Salvador for a year.  During his time at SIT he helped develop a Certificate in Teaching English which he implemented for local teachers in South Korea and in Haiti. 

He is most remembered by his colleagues for the joy, fun and laughter that he brought to the SIT campus.  His many roles included being the Commissioner of the softball league, planning the Founder’s Day events, Magical Mystery Tours, surprise guests arriving on campus by helicopter, and many more creative activities. Mike excelled at creating fun.  He fostered relationships and built community through creative amusement and a deep level of commitment.

Mike retired from SIT in 2002, and joined Judie in Washington DC where he ended his career, full circle, by working as part of the Peace Corps Evaluation team in the Washington DC. Peace Corps Office.

Mike was a talented teacher. What was truly wonderful about him was his engaging personality and sense of humor.  He didn’t tell jokes— he played with language in wonderful ways that left those around him feeling happier and smiling more than before their conversation.

He enjoyed theater, photography, writing and comedy. He was part owner of Pro Lingua, a language teaching publishing company. He loved music and was a good carpenter.  Mike was, indeed, a Man of all Seasons. He spent many years as part of the Vermont Theater Company acting, directing and as a board member.  He enjoyed life to the fullest.

Family and community were very important to Mike and he participated wholeheartedly in both, serving on many community boards and groups.  During his many years in Brattleboro he was one of the founding members of Brattleboro Cable TV, served on the BUHS School Board, the Adult Education Board, and delivered Meals on Wheels. The title he enjoyed the most, though, was Inspector of Wood, Shingles, and Lumber, a Brattleboro town appointment carried over from long ago.   Mike, along with the help of the Town Crier and other clever friends, created the April 1, 1984 Brattleboro Informer, which was delivered across the region, confusing many people until they realized it was a spoof!.

Mike was a supportive and loving husband, father, and grandfather.  He loved biking, and indoctrinated Pam and Mitra to long distance biking by travelling from Vermont to Rhode Island by bike with them when each turned nine years old.  Mike and Michelle shared many a camping trip together, where he introduced her to poetry, and he and Veronica spent happy hours shooting baskets and playing catch.  He adored his daughters and granddaughter. And Mike loved his trips to Red Sox games with his nephew Jake.

How fortunate we were to have him—a loving, caring, gentle, kind and oh, such a fun and funny man!

Relatives and friends are invited to a Celebration of Michael's Life to be held on Sunday, June 22, 2025 from 2:00PM-5:00PM at Retreat Farms 45 Farmhouse Square Brattleboro, VT 05301.

Funeral Arrangements have been entrusted to THE URQUHART-MURPHY FUNERAL HOME, 800 Greenwich Avenue, Warwick.

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