A Sad Farewell to a Friend of our Community: Jerome Kersey

Jerome Kersey with Dawn Mancuso, Hydrocephalus Association CEO

Jerome Kersey with Dawn Mancuso, Hydrocephalus Association CEO, at the 2014 National Conference on Hydrocephalus

It is with deep sadness that we share the news of the passing of retired NBA player Jerome Kersey, February 18, 2015, from a blood clot in his leg that traveled to his lung. Kersey finished his professional basketball career as a small forward for the Portland Trail Blazers, helping them reach two NBA Finals. He was 52.

Many of us had the opportunity to hear him speak and to chat with him personally at our 2014 National Conference on Hydrocephalus held in Portland, Oregon, this past July. At 6-foot-7-inches, he was not hard to miss in our crowd. But it wasn’t his height that attracted attention. It was his warm smile and genuine interest in our community and, particularly, our kids at our Kids’ Camp.

“The Hydrocephalus Association was fortunate to have Jerome join us as a keynote speaker at our National Conference in Portland, Oregon last summer.  His moving and inspirational talk brought tears to people’s eyes along with hope to our families,” stated Michael Schwab, Secretary of the Hydrocephalus Association Board of Directors, father of a son with hydrocephalus, and a resident of Portland. “Jerome brought his love of life and positive attitude to the community and the causes he supported for young people and those in need. Our association was fortunate to witness why Jerome was so beloved in the Portland community.  He was a wonderful ambassador for the Blazers, the NBA, the city of Portland, and all of the nonprofits he touched. Jerome, who was known on the court as ‘No Mercy Kersey’ was a tremendous athlete but an even better person. He will be missed greatly.”

The Hydrocephalus Association expresses our most heartfelt condolences to his family.



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