Gerald Szoszorek

Gerald John Szoszorek (A.K.A. Jerry Szorek) passed away August 25, 2013. Born in Erie, Pa. November 10, 1934, the son of John “Boots” and Ann (Yokoff) Szoszorek.

He graduated from East High School class of 1953 where he was active in football, basketball, track and was named to the city football and basketball All-Star teams. After serving as a medic in Korea, he graduated in the top 5 % of his class at Allegheny College, receiving dual degrees in Economics and Psychology.

After his work with a CBS TV affiliate and GTE, he was employed by the Times Publishing Co. for 39 years where he spent time in nearly every department. His primary focus was in advertising, research and marketing. He had written extensively on the use of computers in advertising, and had authored several publications on test marketing which were used as textbooks in major universities. As director of Marketing Research and National Sales, he also served as president, director or chairman of several organizations such as the INAME, INMA, NRC and PNPA.

He retired in 1998 to form his own media research firm, Inland Research Corporation, supplying data to over 300 clients nationwide.

He was an active member of Asbury Woods Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses.

He was preceded in death by both his parents and is survived by his wife of 52 years, Linda Lee (Wagner) and two daughters Sherry Lee and Tammy Lee Polanski (and husband Frank) and two sons; Scott David of Erie, Brian Justin (and wife Liza) of Denver, Colorado, one grandson Frank Genovese Jr. and one great-granddaughter Adelina Lee (and mother Amanda Kuhl) and younger brother John “Jack” (and wife Ceil) of Akron, Ohio. Special mention of Aunts, Marian Davies, Holt, Michigan and Shirley “Sissy” Swan, Erie, Pennsylvania. On Saturday, August 31, 2013, at the Asbury Kingdom Hall, 3604 Asbury Rd in Erie, family and friends are invited to visit from 1 to 3 pm. A special memorial talk will be given by Dan Banach at 3 pm. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Burton Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc., 602 West 10th Street, Erie, PA.

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