Jerome J. Malinowski, 83 years old, passed away on February 22, 2023, after struggling with Parkinson’s disease. Born in Cleveland, OH to the late Joe and Lottie (nee Piotrkowski) Malinowski. He is survived by his long-time partner Dorothy Hauk; brother Ron (Noreen), sister Chris (Ron) Meister; nephews Ron, Joe, Mark, David, Matt Meister, Eric Meister; great-niece Hayley (Cory) Langhoff, great-nephew Michael; and many cousins and friends.
Jerome “Jerry” Malinowski graduated from St. Casimir Elementary School and Holy Name High School in Cleveland, Ohio. He attended the Cleveland Institute of Art. He received a Master of Arts (Sculpture) from Syracuse University. Jerry was an Automotive Product Designer for Ford Motor Company 1960-1963. He was one of the designers charged with creating a car design that would capture what the consumer wanted and needed. After several months of work, the team unveiled the final design for the Ford Mustang. The car was introduced to America on April 17, 1964, at the New York World’s Fair, and has enjoyed iconic status in America.
Jerry was an Industrial Designer for Matsushita Electric, Tokyo, Japan 1964 – 1967 (International Industrial Design – Panasonic). Designing electronic consumer goods for the US, Japanese and South American markets, including television sets, portable and stationary radios, cooking ware, stereo equipment, and toys. Conducted research on Japan’s traditional arts and folk arts, and relativity and genesis to the manufactured product. He was the first westerner employed.
Jerry was a professor of design at Syracuse University in the College of Visual and Performing Arts (VPA) from 1967-1998. He also designed Olympic Bobsleds for the 1988 and 1992 USA Olympic Bobsled Team. His 1992 4-man Olympic bobsled was tested and was found to be the most aerodynamic sled ever tested by Boeing Corporation. He was a professor of industrial design and the program coordinator at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.
Jerry was an interesting and unique individual. He will be deeply missed by his family and friends.
Visitation will be held Saturday, March 11, 2023, from 10-11 AM at St. Noel Catholic Church, 35200 Chardon Rd., Willoughby Hills, OH 44094, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 AM at the church.
Burial at Calvary Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Casimir Church, 8223 Sowinski Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44103.
Arrangements entrusted to DeJohn Funeral Home of Willoughby Hills.
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Laurie Taress-Platt
I am so sorry for your loss. Prayers for your family. I remember visiting Jerry at his farm in West Virginia with my parents when I was a kid. And I remember his dog Peanut. It was a good time. Jerry had some amazing accomplishments in his lifetime.
Ron Rozewski
Very saddened to learn of Jerry’s passing we were friends since hi school, went to Copper Art School in Cleveland on Saturdays, and were classmates at the Cleveland Institute of Art. We shared a lot of experiences in our earlier years the last I saw him was in 2010 when he was in San Francisco giving a talk about the Ford T-bird, it was its 50th anniversary.
DANIEL NICKLES
So sorry to just learn of Jerry‘s passing.
We were both classmates in the industrial design program at Cleveland Institute of art and became close friends. Upon graduation, we fixed up an old molded plywood boat Jerry had, put it on my gold, VW bug and camped out up around North Bay Canada for two weeks. We kept in contact over the years. Jerry was very talented. He won the top prize at CIA, the Gunn, a traveling scholarship. His drawings are absolutely superb! He loved horses, had a Morgan, studied them and painted them. Thanking of Jerry now, brings back so many good memories of him and his talent. He will be missed.
A
Malcolm Brooks
Jerry was my professor at Syracuse University from 1985-1988 in Studio Design. He was an incredible artist and designer. I was designing and building skateboard decks and snowboards laminating maple veneer, and Kevlar with epoxy in vacuum molds. I also made furniture. Jerry taught me so many things about design and he was so talented. Jerry helped design the Ford Mustang in the sixties, he also designed Olympic bobsleds in the 1980s. His great friend Lee DuSell was also my professor and they both had farms close to each other outside of Syracuse. We used to go out to their farms now and then as students. I last saw him when I visited Syracuse and went out to his farm to have lunch with him, Lee and my friend Jack. THANK YOU Jerry for everything you taught me as a student, I am very grateful. You will be missed.