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Food for thought: Alumnus donation honors retired Eurest employee
For 19 years, Jerry Flaherty Jr. '01 left for his job at 6 a.m. Neither storms nor snow stopped him from arriving at work before Bradley University students walked their hungry bodies to the cafeteria for breakfast.
Jerry
Flaherty Jr. '01 with his parents, Lynn and Jerry Sr.
He punched students' meal cards back when they were in paper form and swiped meal cards when they went electronic. Jerry has since retired from Eurest Dining Services. During his time at Bradley, he created lasting memories for anyone who entered his cafeterias. They were memories not of a man who has physical limitations, but that of a friend who laughed and joked with students and staff and always made them feel welcome.
"Jerry had such camaraderie with the students," said A.J. Rassi, a friend of the family and a retired vice president at Caterpillar Inc. "I think he’s such a great example of a joyful spirit with a great sense of humor — in spite of the challenges that life has given him."
That is why when A.J. made a naming gift to the Campaign for a Bradley Renaissance, he decided that instead of naming a space for himself, he would recognize one of his heroes — Jerry Flaherty Jr. He chose the juice bar within the Markin Family Student Recreational Center.
"I saw the juice bar and I said to myself, 'Here’s a young man that put almost 20 years into the food service business. Wouldn’t it be neat to name this in his honor?'"
Having worked for 40 years with Jerry’s father, retired Caterpillar group president Jerry Flaherty Sr., the two families are longtime friends, and friends of Bradley. Both men have given generously of their time to campus advisory boards and made gifts for facility improvements. Recently, Jerry Sr. and his wife, Lynn, made a gift to Bradley’s campaign in support of educational and facility enhancements for individuals with disabilities.
A.J. Rassi's recent donation in honor of Jerry Jr. was a complete surprise for the Flaherty family. They were so moved when they learned of A.J.’s gesture, they were at a loss for words. Flattered by the honor, Jerry Jr. remarked, "I just think this whole thing is fantastic because in the end, Bradley is the winner."
The Jerry Flaherty Jr. Juice Bar — serving sandwiches, soups, smoothies and more — is just one of the amenities the Markin Center offers. The facility boasts new exercise equipment, a climbing wall, an indoor track, multipurpose space, racquetball courts, dance rooms and a pool. Additionally, the Markin Center is home to the Health and Wellness Program and provides space for the Department of Nursing.
The Juice Bar is now a place for students and faculty to visit, socialize and remember the enjoyable memories they shared with Jerry Flaherty Jr.