Jerome Carlton Ball, ex-firefighter who 'loved everyone,' dies at 58

IF YOU DIDN'T love Jerome Carlton Ball it was because you didn't know him.

This sentiment, expressed by his family, made it clear that Jerome was the kind of person who embodied the adage "to know him is to love him."

His cousin, Rose Herring, described Jerome as "good-natured, kind, extremely smart, wise, with a big heart and great personality."

His wife of 31 years, the former Vera Kane, put it this way: "My husband loved everyone and would do anything for anyone."

Jerome Ball, a 23-year psychiatric technician for Albert Einstein Medical Center, a former Philadelphia firefighter and a 32nd Degree Mason, died suddenly of cardiac arrest on Nov. 8. He was 58 and lived in North-central Philadelphia.

"A little bit of a practical joker," Rose Herring said of Jerome, "and a practical person. All you had to do was call and he'd be there. His sudden death is not something any of us will get over anytime soon."

Jerome, whose nickname was "Fast," was the youngest of the two sons of Horace Ball and Geraldine Simmons-Ball. He graduated from Edison High School and attended Temple University for two years.

He worked for a time for the Water Department before joining the Fire Department. He was assigned to Engine 10, 12th and Reed streets.

Jerome was a devoted family man and enjoyed hanging out with his older brother, James "Corkay," and taking morning walks with his wife in Wissahickon Park.

He owned a boat, which he would tow to Barnegat Light, N.J., to fish with his son, Jerome Ball II, and grandsons, and watch the animated kids show "Dora the Explorer" with his granddaughters.

Jerome became a Mason in 1996, joining the Alpha Lodge. He advanced through the Masonic ranks to 32nd degree. He was also a Shriner and enjoyed dressing up in his flashy Shriner garb for celebrations.

"His fierce devotion to his mother, Gerry, caused him to be well-known at the nursing facility where she resides," his wife said.

"He was tall, big and strong, with a broad, infectious grin," Rose Herring said.

Besides his wife, mother, son and brother, he is survived by six grandchildren.

Services: 11:30 a.m. tomorrow at Union African Methodist Episcopal Church, 16th and Jefferson streets. Friends may call at 10 a.m.