We Lost Another Great ORCA Member

ORCA Online Forum - Feel free to talk or ask about ALL kinds of old tackle here, with an emphasis on old reels!
Post Reply
Roger Schulz
Advanced Board Poster
Posts: 482
Joined: Sun Sep 14, 2003 2:21 pm
Location: Alpharetta, GA

We Lost Another Great ORCA Member

Post by Roger Schulz »

I heard this morning that Jerry Shemechko passed away last night in his sleep. Jerry is a long time ORCA member and was present at many of our conventions and NFLCC shows. He loved fishing reels and has a collection of about 7,000 reels according to the last time we talked. Jerry and his lovely wife Margret often shared lunch and snacks at NFLCC Nationals. Jerry was a big time buyer of quality reels and will be missed by his many collector friends.

Roger Schulz
User avatar
Brian F.
Star Board Poster
Posts: 3536
Joined: Sun Sep 14, 2003 1:23 am
Location: Hilo, Hawaii

Re: We Lost Another Great ORCA Member

Post by Brian F. »

So sorry to hear, Roger.
Aloha
Brian F.
_________

ORCA Member 1997
Got a spare reel stamped "Pflueger" or a Montague Imperial?
"Caution, objects in reel view mirror are older than they appear."
Teal
Ultra Board Poster
Posts: 2033
Joined: Sat Feb 19, 2005 8:23 pm
Location: Cincinnati, OH

Re: We Lost Another Great ORCA Member

Post by Teal »

Oh no! Jerry was such an incredible guy. I'm so sad right now. Wow.
User avatar
Bill Muth
Super Board Poster
Posts: 681
Joined: Sat Sep 13, 2003 11:38 pm
Location: Minnesota

Re: We Lost Another Great ORCA Member

Post by Bill Muth »

Wow, this one is a shocker. I saw Jerry most recently at the Milwaukee show in January, he looked better than ever. Thoughts and prayers are with Margret, who is absolutely the sweetest lady I have ever met.
Wanted: Horton, Bristol & Meek reels, reel boxes, and catalogs!!!!
User avatar
Mike N
Star Board Poster
Posts: 3763
Joined: Tue May 31, 2005 1:50 pm
Location: WV

Re: We Lost Another Great ORCA Member

Post by Mike N »

Sorry to see this sad news. Godspeed to Jerry’s family.

Mike N
Last edited by Mike N on Thu Oct 25, 2018 8:40 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Mike N.
ORCA Founder, 1990
User avatar
RonG
Super Board Poster
Posts: 1468
Joined: Fri Oct 24, 2003 8:49 pm
Location: Frostproof, FL
Contact:

Re: We Lost Another Great ORCA Member

Post by RonG »

Wow, what a shock. He will be missed. Prayers and Condolences to Margaret.
Hoosier Dave
Frequent Board Poster
Posts: 83
Joined: Thu Dec 02, 2010 5:13 pm
Location: Ossian, Indiana

Re: We Lost Another Great ORCA Member

Post by Hoosier Dave »

Prayers for Margaret and the family. They will be missed at the Fort Wayne NFLCC show today and tomorrow.
I am looking for any Indiana style reels that I don't already have in my collection. I have all kinds of reels and lures and some cash to trade for the ones I need.
NJFisherman
Advanced Board Poster
Posts: 138
Joined: Mon May 07, 2007 4:51 pm
Location: Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Re: We Lost Another Great ORCA Member

Post by NJFisherman »

That is certainly a shock and definitely sad news. Jerry was a great guy and an asset to the club. He will be missed. Dave Lucas
Dave Lucas
User avatar
john elder
Star Board Poster
Posts: 8541
Joined: Mon Sep 22, 2003 2:44 pm

Re: We Lost Another Great ORCA Member

Post by john elder »

So sorry to hear this. Condolences to the family...
ORCA member since 1999
Honorary Life Member

Specializing in saltwater reels...and fly reels...and oh, yeah, kentucky style reels.....and those tiny little RP reels.....oh, heck...i collect fishing reels!...and fly rods....and lures
User avatar
Bill Sonnett
Super Board Poster
Posts: 620
Joined: Sun Nov 21, 2004 8:19 pm
Location: Jackson Michigan

Re: We Lost Another Great ORCA Member

Post by Bill Sonnett »

Here at the Fort Wayne show a shock wave moved through the halls at the show as the news of Jerry's death spread. All were shocked and had great things to say about Jerry. RIP
I love to get old reels, work on them until they run as smooth as silk and the take them fishing using pre-1960 plugs, mostly surface fishing for Largemouths after dark.
User avatar
Paul M
Ultra Board Poster
Posts: 2200
Joined: Fri Feb 03, 2006 9:10 pm
Location: Toronto, Canada
Contact:

Re: We Lost Another Great ORCA Member

Post by Paul M »

I had the pleasure of speaking to Jerry on the phone during July of 2017. I made a note of what he told me. Among other things, he said he would likely be an ORCA member “forever”. May he rest in peace.
Paul Manuel

Member since 2006
User avatar
m3040c
Ultra Board Poster
Posts: 2485
Joined: Sat Apr 29, 2006 10:52 pm
Location: Long Island, New York

Re: We Lost Another Great ORCA Member

Post by m3040c »

Always sad to lose one of us. Very sorry for the loss.
mike cass,,, if you can't collect it, it must be food
Jim Madden
Super Board Poster
Posts: 602
Joined: Sun Sep 14, 2003 10:08 pm
Location: Indiana

Re: We Lost Another Great ORCA Member

Post by Jim Madden »

I don't think I ever met anyone more enthusiastic about reels. What a loss!
Desperately seeking SB reel #100A, a #600 box. JMadden
User avatar
Len Sawisch
Site Admin
Posts: 792
Joined: Sun Sep 14, 2003 10:56 am
Location: Michigan

Re: We Lost Another Great ORCA Member

Post by Len Sawisch »

Lenette and I had the pleasure of a number of Margrit and Jerry visits over the last few years. Margrit and Lenette would patiently chat as Jerry and I scoured my parts supplies to bring his current project reels closer to perfection. Then Jerry would pour over my dwindling collection to see which reels were ready for the trip back to his impressive accumulation of reel history. We would finish the visits over lunch, where the conversation ranged quite afield from reels. On their last visit just a few months back, Jerry talked me out of my Marhoff collection; a task he had been working on for over two years. He was pleased and I was happy to make his day.

Lenette and I will miss the visits. Margrit, you are always welcome. Jerry, you are well remembered.

Len and Lenette
Len Sawisch
Post Reply