“I send love to you all. It’s been a wild ride. Now it’s time to hit the sack!” With his unique sense of humor right to the end, Jeremy Palmer Gloo, 93, of Yarmouth Port, MA, and formerly of North Eastham, MA, Richfield Springs, NY, and Herkimer, NY, passed away December 11, 2023.

The younger son of Palmer and Dorothy (Johnson) Gloo, Jerry was born in Herkimer in 1930. He graduated from Herkimer High School with the Class of 1947. In 1951, Jerry began his service in the U.S. Army, working as an investigator at Fort Totten, NY. He was honorably discharged as a corporal in 1953.

Jerry and Linda Maguire didn’t meet formally; they always knew each other. Their families attended the same church, and they went to the same school. Their brothers, Phil Gloo and Jim Maguire were great friends. They frequented the same parties, where Jerry would always play the piano. Jerry and Linda were married on April 18, 1959, in Christ Church, Herkimer.

In 1961, Jerry and Linda moved to the Town of Columbia, near Richfield Springs, where they raised their three sons, Paul, Jim and Eric. They spent the next 35 years enjoying the beauty of the area, laughing all the time with great friends and neighbors. Jerry was active at St. John’s Episcopal Church, Richfield Springs, serving on the vestry, and as junior and senior warden. Jerry and Linda moved to Cape Cod in 1996, where the beauty and laughter continued.

To say Jerry loved playing the piano is an understatement. Influenced by jazz great Art Tatum, Jerry played by ear, seamlessly blending one song into the next. It made sense that he would open his own music store. From 1959 to 1974, Jerry owned and operated “Jerry’s Music Shop” in Herkimer, learning the piano tuning trade in the process. He continued as a self-employed piano technician, retiring in his early 80s. He tuned and repaired pianos for churches, schools, and countless individuals in the Mohawk Valley and on Cape Cod. After the tuning, his clients were usually treated to a mini concert. For several years, Jerry played the piano for the pre-dinner crowd in The Pub at Heatherwood.

Jerry and Linda enjoyed going out to eat with friends. They took many April trips to the southeast U.S., exploring a different area each time. There was a vacation to Europe, to the Grand Canyon, and a visit to Augusta National Golf Course to watch The Masters. Jerry enjoyed fishing, with the lure being a big striped bass. He was an avid and accomplished golfer, with two hole-in-one trophies to prove it. Jerry also formed many friendships with his online backgammon community. He enjoyed a good laugh and was always ready to tell one joke or four. Jeremy was serious about life, but Jerry also tried not to take life too seriously.

Jeremy is survived by his loving wife and best friend of 64+ years, Linda Maguire Gloo, and their family: Paul Jeremy Gloo, James Philip Gloo and Karen Zunti, and Eric Charles Gloo. By his nieces and nephews: Linda and Jim Leach, Larry and Chris Gloo, Lorie Hill and Steve McNeil, Terry and Dan Fellows, David Maguire, Stephanie Maguire, Nick and Erin Sheble, Angela Sheble and David Wilson, and all their families. Also surviving are several cousins and their families, and many friends. In addition to his parents, Jeremy was predeceased by Linda’s parents, Dr. Elwood Reeve Maguire and Bess (Sharp) Maguire; his brother and wife, Philip and Mildred (Finster) Gloo; sister-in-law and husband, Ann (Maguire) and Howard Sheble III; and brother-in-law and wife, James and Patricia (Lytwynec) Maguire.

A future burial will be in the Columbia Dutch Reformed Cemetery, Jordanville Road, Richfield Springs, NY. There are no public services.

Memorial donations in memory of US Army Veteran Jeremy P. Gloo can be sent to: Herkimer VFW Post 4915, 113 Mohawk Street, Herkimer, NY 13350. Also, donations to the Herkimer County Music Educators Association (HCMEA) Scholarship in memory of Jerry Gloo can be sent to: HCMEA Scholarship Fund, c/o West Canada Valley CSD, Attn: Shane Boney, P.O. Box 360, Newport, NY 13416.

It is rare to meet someone special who can teach us so much by his very presence and make us better. If we just listen, that person's indelible mark will be left on us permanently. Through his playing of the piano, Jeremy possessed a quality that touched those who heard his music. When he made beautiful sounds that only he could create, we were taken to wonderful dream places. I will always remember some of those magical phrases, and that he never played a tune the same way twice. His music made the piano something majestic. We will miss that, but we will always remember. Some music lovers believe that when we listen to a person play an instrument, we are seeing a part of that person's very soul If that is true, Jeremy's artistry certainly showed us that part of him and it is something we will always cherish. When I listen to Art Tatum, George Shearing and the other great jazz pianists, and when I am practicing the piano, Jeremy will always be there. Jeremy always finished his evening of piano playing with the tune, "Little Man, You've Had a Busy Day." Jeremy had a busy life that impacted all of us in so many ways. We are glad we traveled to Herkimer to experience Jeremy's other home, and our trip to the Mason and Hamlin factory is something we will always remember. Finally, we will remember forever Jeremy's wonderful stories about piano tuning and the jokes he told that brought new meaning to the word "groan." Jeremy Gloo was just "very special." Both Brenda and I are truly blessed to have known him. We love you Jeremy, and thank you for all that you gave us. Tony and Brenda Halter

Dear Jerry, Hopefully there are many “Mason& Hamlin “ pianos in heaven for you to play in eternity. You will always remain in our minds and hearts. Much love to you Linda , the ‘boys’ and Karen, Helga and John

John and I send condolences and love to Linda and the family. Rest in peace my friend.

remember us from cape cod------- its been along time. so sorry to hear about jerry- we are in florida at 5617381806--- love ya

I was indeed saddened to learn of Jerry’s passing. What a very special person he was! He always treated me with warm kindness and genuine respect, and I always felt honored to be befriended by him. I will always remember the occasions when he and I played duets together on two pianos. He was an extraordinary musician, having a wide-ranging grasp of very complex harmonic musical architectures. May he now be embraced by our loving God and share in the fullness of Jesus’ Resurrection.

To the Gloo family, I loved Mr. Gloo. He tuned my Ludwig many times over the years. I have been trying to find him for the past four/five years - today sadly I found him in the obituaries. How wonderful that you were able to have him for all those years. I surely will remember him all the remaining days of my life. I was blessed to have called him my friend.

Dear Linda, Eric, James, Paul and Karen, please accept our sincere condolences on Jerry’s passing. It’s obvious that Jerry’s life was very well lived. Surely all of you take great comfort in knowing how much he enjoyed life and how much he contributed to the happiness and fun of all those around him. May he rest in eternal peace. Jack and Marge Huxtable