Jerome Moiso, son of Alice O’Neill Moiso Avery (1917-2014) and James Robert Moiso (1917-2001), 7th generation Californian, rode ahead and joined the Empty Saddles Trek early Monday morning, September 2. He was eighty-two years old. Survived by his wife, Judith, brothers, Tony Moiso (Melinda) and Doug Avery (Lisa), three generations of nieces and nephews from a combined family, and his dog, Anna. Predeceased by his first wife, Mary, and son, Jerome Joseph (“J.J.”).
Born in Los Angeles, Jerome grew up in West Los Angeles (Brentwood). He graduated from Brentwood Elementary School, Harvard School ’59, and the University of Arizona ’63. He was a kind, caring, giving, fun-loving person who loved his family, his friends — especially those from his high school days, the Fall River community, the “all outdoors,” traveling, in the old days surfing from Malibu south to San Onofre, skiing and hiking in Sun Valley, Idaho, camping, especially at the PX Ranch northeastern Nevada, hunting, fishing, a glass or two of great wine, beers with his pals, Maker’s Mark — neat, and especially fishing with Judith the world over.
For many years, Jerome was an active, pacesetting member of El Viaje de Portol, the annual Orange County trail ride celebrating the history of the American West and of California. He rode the Ride’s first Spring Trek in 1964 from El Adobe in San Juan Capistrano, across Rancho Mission Viejo, the Whiting Ranch, and the Irvine Ranch to the then new Saddleback Inn on First Street in Santa Ana!
Jerome quietly supported numerous causes. Among his many commitments are: Gun Owners of America, the National Rifle Association, Mayers Memorial Hospital (Fall River), the Capuchin Fathers Foundation, Providence Mission Hospital, Mission San Juan Capistrano Preservation Foundation, the Harvard Westlake School, and St. Jude’s Medical Research Hospital. He knew that he was very fortunate and embraced the responsibility to “pay it forward.”
Vaya con dios, nuestro gran amigo, Jerome! We toast you; we thank you, for all the Good Times shared down through the years. Please say “hello” to all our friends there with you in Heaven; and please keep the beer cold, for we’ll all be along in a little while.
In lieu of flowers, it is Jerome’s wish that you reach out and call an old friend and hug often your loved ones.
Jerome will be buried, at a later date this Autumn, privately at the Rancho Mission Viejo Family Cemetery.
