Novato

Gerald Kissam Schofield passed away peacefully with loved ones by his side on October 1. He will be remembered as a generous partner, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend, a diplomatic problem-solver, and a kind-hearted true gentleman who loved reading novels and singing along to American musicals. Jerry was born in Orange, NJ, youngest son of Natalie and William Schofield, Sr. He graduated from Columbia High School, then attended Westminster College. After graduation he served with the U.S. Army, stationed in Birmingham, AL.From there, he moved to New York City and received an MA in Public Health from Columbia University. He began his career in public health administration at a hospital in Brooklyn, then pursued Ph.D. studies at the University of Buffalo while a consultant at the State Health Department in Buffalo. He then served for 25 years as Deputy Director of Administration at Roswell Park Memorial Institute in Buffalo, NY, carrying out what he believed was Roswell’s deep commitment to healing and hope. He was a devoted father and enjoyed spending time with his family. He also enjoyed serving as an Elder and member of the choir in the Curtis Park Presbyterian Church. After he retired from Roswell in 1992, he and his former wife Sandra D. Schofield (d. 2018) moved to Novato to be closer to his siblings, Bev Williams and Bill Schofield. There he began his 2nd career, working for more than 20 years with the California State Health System. After Jerry and Sandy separated and she returned to Buffalo, Jerry met his later life partner, Joy Pearson-Obitz at CSHS. They enjoyed 28 happy years together. In recent years, Jerry welcomed Joy’s special needs daughter, Lori, into his home. She became his great friend and companion.

Generous with his time and money, in his second retirement Jerry was an enthusiastic volunteer. This included serving on his HOA board, painting scenery for Novato Theater Company and as an active member of the Margaret Todd Novato Senior Center. He was most proud of the work he did through Experience Corps Bay Area, tutoring grade school students in English, and also serving as a tutor for adult English language learners.

He was a former member of Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Marin in San Rafael and the Presbyterian Church of Novato. Continuing his lifelong love of reading, he belonged to two book clubs. He enjoyed spending time listening to live music, attending festivals, rooting for the 49ers, Buffalo Bills and the Warriors and visiting with his family, particularly his sister.

He is survived by his partner, Joy Pearson-Obitz; his 100-year-old sister Beverly Schofield Williams; two children, Robert Dana Schofield and Lynn Schofield Clark ( Jon); grandchildren, Jonathan and Allison Clark and Celia Webster; nieces, Adrienne Williams Phalon ( Jim) and Anne Schofield Hunt ( Jno); nephews, Jeffrey S. Williams (Sherry), Christopher Schofield and Derek Schofield; Joy’s daughter Lori Pearson, 6 grand-nephews, 2 grand-nieces and many beloved extended family members and friends. He is predeceased by his brother, William (Bill) H. Schofield and his nephews Richard Schofield, Gerald Scott Williams and John L. Williams, Jr. He was a wonderful man who is greatly missed.

A memorial celebration will be held in the spring.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Homeward Bound of Marin (https://hbofm.org), Friends of the Marin County Free Library (Novato) (www.marinlibraryfriends.org) or to an organization that shares in Jerry’s spirit of generosity.