Michael Gerrard Allam's Obituary
Michael Gerrard Allam, better known as “Jer” or “Jerry,” died on 13 November 2024 at 1:11 pm, after suffering a major stroke, which left him incapacitated and struggling in intensive care for three days. He was 66. Michael was named after his Paternal Grandfather, who had emigrated from Lebanon in 1920, and thus perhaps it was significant that he died on November 13, the feast of St. Mother Cabrini, the first American citizen to be canonized by the Catholic Church and the Patron Saint of Immigrants. He died peacefully in the presence of his mother and sister, lovingly praying at his bedside. Known for his humor and big heart, Jer’s life was marked by struggling to live for others. He was a handy-man and never shied-away from trying to fix anything that was broken, most often, successfully. Early on, Jer exhibited great potential as an athlete, and was nothing short of a legend in the Catholic Boys Baseball association wherein he was known as the only 12-year old in Utah who could throw curve balls and pitch shut outs. Tragically, his promising athletic career ended abruptly after suffering a major knee injury while playing street football, an injury from which he never really recovered. Throughout this ordeal and during the many challenges he faced in life, Jer seemed always to just accept trials calmly and with love, but not without a struggle. His readiness to defend those he loved was deeply ingrained and he was known in school (St. Ann’s Catholic Grade School, Eastmont Junior High, and Hillcrest High) as a guy who never started a fight, but as one who could always end one—in decisive victory. Jer was active in the Maronite Youth Organization during the early years of the establishment of St. Jude Maronite Catholic Church and remained close to the sacramental life of the Catholic Church his entire life. Over the last few years, Jer kept things going around the house, faithfully serving his mom and dad in their old age. 2024 was particularly challenging for him as he sought to help his mom deal with her broken heart, after losing her husband of 68 years, while also dealing with his own broken heart after losing his dad—the one man he respected and loved more than anyone else in the world—and the same man whom he knew he had sometimes disappointed, but now, we his surviving family, take comfort in the belief that they are reunited in a new father/son love that surpasses our present understanding. Jer is survived by Edy Wise, the mother of his two sons, Tommy and Leslie and his granddaughter Myla. Phyllis Irene Allam (Mother) his two sisters, Tina Barakat, Michelle Marie Simon (Paul), his three brothers, Richard Michael Allam (Gladys), Edward Joseph Allam (Jinane), and Anthony Charles Allam. He also leaves behind many loving brother/sister-in-laws, nephews, nieces, uncles, aunts, cousins, and friends. Funeral services will be held at St. Jude’s Maronite Church in Taylorsville on November 25th at 11:30a.m. In lieu of flowers please donate to the St. Jude building fund.
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