Gerald Edwin Kunz

Born in San Francisco, the second son of Harry Kunz and Beatrice (Evenson), his family moved to San Mateo where Jerry and his brother Bud attended Borel School and San Mateo High School. He followed the example of his father devoting his time to his work, his family, our community, and supporting our Giants, 49er’s, and Warriors.

Jerry met the love of his life, Mary Jane Heinrich of Menlo Park when they were just 15 years old. Jerry and his friends were brushing up on their dancing for the prom at Imogene Woodruf’s Dance School in San Mateo where Mary Jane was an assistant dance teacher. The two were engaged on Jerry’s Birthday in 1955 celebrating with their parents at Bimbo’s 365 Club on Van Ness in San Francisco. As soon as he turned 21, he married Mary Jane at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in Menlo Park on September 1, 1956 while they were attending San Jose State University; they were together 68 years until Mary Jane’s death on September 24, 2019.

At 19, he joined the National Guard in 1954 and received an honorable discharge in 1956. The two lived in San Mateo where, like his father, he started his own company in 1964, Bay Area Paving Company. Throughout his career and until his passing, Jerry remained involved in his church and giving back to his community. He was the recipient of the distinguished deGuigne Award in 2004 in recognition of outstanding leadership in healthcare philanthropy and exemplary contribution to the quality of life and healthcare for our community.

A San Mateo Rotarian, an Operating Engineer for 60 years, a member of The Peninsula Golf and Country Club for 52 years, a member of The Family Club for 41 years (serving on The Board), The Hillsborough Racquet Club (serving as President), and The Marines Memorial Club – he was an avid supporter of all.

Jerry and Mary Jane enjoyed travelling the world together with friends and family, hiking in Switzerland and Portofino, African Safari, Italian Villas and Farmhouses, Normandy, Canada, Mexico. Jerry loved Hawaii, where he hosted annual vacations with their daughters’ families. They loved the outdoors, snow skiing all winter with family and friends and water skiing all summer – towing the ski boat and houseboating with four or five families every year.

Jerry’s love of our SF Giants began the moment the team arrived in San Francisco. He was at Seal Stadium watching the Giants when he heard on the loud speaker, “Jerry Kunz, call home, your wife is having a baby.” Jerry was a season ticket holder for nearly sixty years, giving his tickets to family, friends and customers. He often commented, “I think our grandsons were great first basemen because they watched JT Snow from those seats." Jerry loved coaching his girls’ softball team, The Bay Area Paving Bobcats, finishing in first place. And he loved watching all of his grandchildren’s sporting events - rarely missing a game.

A Service will be held on Friday October 18, 2024 at 12:30 p.m. at Church of The Nativity 210 Oak Grove Avenue Menlo Park with a Reception immediately following at The O’Hare Center. Your gift to us is your friendship and all the beautiful memories we share.