Gerald "Jerry" James Bratter

Gerald James Bratter “Jerry”
Jerry lost his courageous battle with leukemia on September 5, 2017 surrounded by his loving family. He was born in St. Paul, MN on May 26, 1928. Jerry was the fifth of six children born to Sarah and Benjamin Bratter. He was a graduate of Saint Paul Central High School where he excelled in golf and basketball. After high school, he attended the U of Minnesota where he earned his Bachelor of Business Administration degree and enjoyed his years as a member of Phi Epsilon Pi fraternity. It was there that he met his future wife, Joy Kossove, and on Sept. 9th they would have celebrated their 66th wedding anniversary. Jerry was the founder of the John Phillips Co. of St. Paul in 1951 which was one of the first discount catalogue showrooms in the state. He became involved in the venture capital investment banking business and founded G.J. Bratter and Co. and was responsible for the underwriting of many hi- tech companies from the 1950’s- 1980’s. He underwrote Data 100 in 1971 and was a co- founder, board member and underwriter of Cyberoptics. He served on many corporate boards as well as Guthrie Theatre and Oak Ridge Country Club. Jerry loved his Monday lunches with his longtime buddies, his discussion groups and love of travel. He wanted to show his family the world and in 1972 he took his wife and children on a six month trip around the world to visit 42 countries. Jerry is preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Howard and Bernie; sisters, Della Shepard and Peggie Gill. He is survived by loving wife, Joy; sons, James and Steven; daughter, Cathy; grandchildren, Maggie (Leor) Manelis, Lindsay and Hayley Goldstein, Alex Bratter; great- grandchildren, Noa and Shira Manelis; brother, Ben (Carol) Bratter; sister- in- law, Patti Bratter and many special nieces and nephews. Funeral service THURSDAY, 2:00pm, TEMPLE ISRAEL, 2323 Fremont Ave S., Minneapolis. Memorials preferred to the Gerald & Joy Bratter Family Fund @ Sholom Foundation, 3610 Phillips Pkwy, St. Louis Park, MN 55426; Gerald & Joy Bratter Phil. Fund @ Jewish Community Foundation, 13100 Wayzata Blvd., #200, Mtka, MN 55305; or Temple Israel. Shiva: Oak Ridge Country Club, 700 Oak Ridge Rd., Hopkins (Thursday, 7:00pm)