Alvin Jerome Lerman (1922 — 2012)
My dad, Alvin Jerome Lerman was born in Portsmouth, Ohio to Meyer and Fannie Watelsky Lerman. He had a sister June Edith and a brother Harold Irving. He lived in Cincinnati, Ohio where he graduated from Avondale Public School at the end of 8th grade. He then went on to the Vocational High School for Automotive, Aviation and Academic Trade School. Once in the Navy and living in Cincinnati, he eventually met and married my mother, Mildred Gertrude Shapiro, “Millie”.
My dad did not know a stranger. He was a friend to everyone. He was outgoing and kind and a Navy Carrier Fighter Pilot in WWII flying Wildcats, Hellcats and F4U-CORSAIRS. He flew off the navy ships, CVE-84 Shamrock Bay, and the INDEPENDENCE with VBF-179. He received a DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS with 2 stars, 5 Air Medals, South Pacific Ribbon Medal, WWII Fighter Ribbon Medal, and a Good Conduct Medal. He was an active member of the B.P.O.E (Elks Club) for forty-nine years. Mayor Hudnut recognized his Elks’ Service for his involvement in the Indiana Soap Box Derby. He was also an Elks Chaplain. He was very active in the Indianapolis West Side Radio Control Modeler’s Club.
Once my parents got married, they moved from Cincinnati to Chattanooga, TN (where my brother Jay was born) to Muskegon, MI (where I was born) to Indianapolis, IN (where my baby brother, Ben was born). My mother then told my father they were not moving again.
He was a great Husband, Dad, Papaw, and one of a kind Uncle Al. He loved to tell jokes and make people laugh. He loved fishing and boating. But most of all he loved his family. He was great at fixing things. We could always find something in his garage to fix something that was broken in our house. He wanted so much to live until he was 90. Unfortunately, he missed it by 2 months. We miss you Dad but are happy that you are in our hearts and that you were an important part of our lives.
