Gerald
Gerald J. Rapien
Gerald J. Rapien
Gerald Joseph Rapien, 79, of Ft. Mitchell, Ky. passed away very peacefully July 5, 2022 with his wife and daughters privileged to see him through his journey. The son of Joseph and Maxine Salyer Rapien (both deceased), Jerry grew up in North College Hill, OH enjoying the Boy Scouts and cultivating a lifelong love of the outdoors, enjoying backyard birding, dry-stack stone wall building, and a passion for playing golf. Kindness, integrity, generosity and humility in all pursuits defined him.
Jerry proudly graduated St. Xavier High School, Xavier University Classics Program Magna Cum Laude, and Notre Dame University Law School. He joined the firm of Taft, Stettinius & Hollister in 1968 and became a partner, specializing in civil litigation in state and federal courts. Jerry retired in 2009.
Jerry was honored to be inducted into the American College of Trial Lawyers and the American Board of Trial Advocates. He received the Cincinnati Bar Association John Kiely Professionalism Award, as well as 2005 Trial Lawyer of the Year Award along with partner Rob Bilott from the Trial Lawyers for Public Justice Foundation.
Jerry is survived by his wife of 30 years, Cheryl Johnson. He was the proud father of daughters Karen Barry (Steve) of Alpine, CA; Jenny Rapien of Odenton, MD.; and Mary Rapien (Brian Chidester) of Warren, R.I; grandfather of Branson, McKinley, Lucien and Phoenix, and brother of Suzanne Gleason. He is also survived by first wife Kathryn Beresford, and many nieces and nephews who are great fans of Uncle Jerry. Sisters and brothers-in-law include Sally Hicks, Bruce (Brett) Johnson, Ann Johnson, Paul (Lisa) Johnson, and Kevin (Jeannie) Johnson. Jerry’s Sisters Anita Rapien and Nanette Schneider predeceased him.
Running model trains at the Behringer Crawford Museum at Christmastime was great fun for Jerry, and he served on its Board of Directors for several years. His knowledge of steam engines and the railroad industry was also a passion. The family is grateful to St. Elizabeth Hospice and Charter Senior Living of Edgewood for their excellent care.
Please consider memorials to Jerry to the Behringer Crawford Museum, 1600 Montague Rd., Covington, KY,
www.bcmuseum.org
, or the Alzheimer’s Association of Cincinnati, 644 Linn St., Suite 1026, Cincinnati, OH 45203,
www.alz.org/Cincinnati
.
Visitation with family will be held Friday, August, 5, 2022, 10 AM to 12:00 noon at Mother of God Catholic Church, 119 W. 6
th
St., Covington, KY, with Mass to follow at 12:05. Immediately following the service, friends and family are invited to continue celebrating Jerry’s life at the Fort Mitchell Country Club, 250 Fort Mitchell Ave., Fort Mitchell, KY 41011.
Gerald Joseph Rapien, 79, of Ft. Mitchell, Ky. passed away very peacefully July 5, 2022 with his wife and daughters privileged to see him through his journey. The son of Joseph and Maxine Salyer Rapien (both deceased), Jerry grew up in North College Hill, OH enjoying the Boy Scouts and cultivating a lifelong love of the outdoors, enjoying backyard birding, dry-stack stone wall building, and a passion for playing golf. Kindness, integrity, generosity and humility in all pursuits defined him.
Jerry proudly graduated St. Xavier High School, Xavier University Classics Program Magna Cum Laude, and Notre Dame University Law School. He joined the firm of Taft, Stettinius & Hollister in 1968 and became a partner, specializing in civil litigation in state and federal courts. Jerry retired in 2009.
Jerry was honored to be inducted into the American College of Trial Lawyers and the American Board of Trial Advocates. He received the Cincinnati Bar Association John Kiely Professionalism Award, as well as 2005 Trial Lawyer of the Year Award along with partner Rob Bilott from the Trial Lawyers for Public Justice Foundation.
Jerry is survived by his wife of 30 years, Cheryl Johnson. He was the proud father of daughters Karen Barry (Steve) of Alpine, CA; Jenny Rapien of Odenton, MD.; and Mary Rapien (Brian Chidester) of Warren, R.I; grandfather of Branson, McKinley, Lucien and Phoenix, and brother of Suzanne Gleason. He is also survived by first wife Kathryn Beresford, and many nieces and nephews who are great fans of Uncle Jerry. Sisters and brothers-in-law include Sally Hicks, Bruce (Brett) Johnson, Ann Johnson, Paul (Lisa) Johnson, and Kevin (Jeannie) Johnson. Jerry’s Sisters Anita Rapien and Nanette Schneider predeceased him.
Running model trains at the Behringer Crawford Museum at Christmastime was great fun for Jerry, and he served on its Board of Directors for several years. His knowledge of steam engines and the railroad industry was also a passion. The family is grateful to St. Elizabeth Hospice and Charter Senior Living of Edgewood for their excellent care.
Please consider memorials to Jerry to the Behringer Crawford Museum, 1600 Montague Rd., Covington, KY,
www.bcmuseum.org
, or the Alzheimer’s Association of Cincinnati, 644 Linn St., Suite 1026, Cincinnati, OH 45203,
www.alz.org/Cincinnati
.
Visitation with family will be held Friday, August, 5, 2022, 10 AM to 12:00 noon at Mother of God Catholic Church, 119 W. 6
th
St., Covington, KY, with Mass to follow at 12:05. Immediately following the service, friends and family are invited to continue celebrating Jerry’s life at the Fort Mitchell Country Club, 250 Fort Mitchell Ave., Fort Mitchell, KY 41011.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Gerald J. Rapien, please visit our flower store.
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