Jerry crossed the finish line September 9, 2023 in an elapsed time of 86 years and 4 ½ months.

He was born 10 minutes before his twin brother James (Jim) to Maurice (Pat) and Eleanor (Thompson) Haley. When they were 16 years old, a horrific automobile accident left Jim paralyzed and changed the Haley family lives forever. After graduating from North Boone High School in 1955, Jerry served as a pattern making apprentice at Pentagon Pattern in Chicago, IL. Returning to Rockford, he was employed by Modern Pattern Co. Upon their closing, Jerry opened his own pattern shop, Haley Pattern Co. His shop was more than a business, it was a place friends would gather to share stories and enjoy a beer. If you needed something fixed, Jerry could fix it. His passion was drag racing in which he excelled. He won the NHRA Nationals twice, the Spring Nationals once, and the World Series five straight times. His most prestigious award was winning the "Best Engineered" award at the NHRA Spring Nationals for his '48 Anglia H/Gaser. He was featured in Hot Rodding Magazine, October 1968 where Jon Asher stated his car was a masterpiece of home-built ingenuity. He is a member of the Great Lakes Dragway Hall of Fame. Once he was no longer driving cars, he partnered with Mark Pieri and Gary Nehring on an alcohol dragster. Racing rewarded him with lifelong friends. Jerry was an avid sports fan. He followed all sports. He LOVED Belvidere Buc athletics. A highlight was the 1988 football season when the Bucs went to the state championship. He was a proud Green Bay Packer Owner, and Notre Dame fan. He looked forward to his weekly golf games, meeting the "guys" for pizza and annual trips to Lake Namakagon. A member of St. James Catholic Church where he served as an Usher for many years.

He is survived by his wife of 56 years Carolyn (Blunt), daughter Kristen (Steven Verive), son, Mark (Heather), granddaughters Hadley & Eleanor, brother Bernard (Karen) Haley, and several nieces and nephews.

Predeceased by parents, brother James (Jim) Haley, and several special aunts and uncles.

A Funeral Mass for Jerry will be Tuesday, September 19, 2023 at 11am at St. James Catholic Church. Located at 402 Church St, Belvidere, IL 61008. Burial to follow at Highland Garden of Memories. In lieu of flowers- donations can be made to Northern Illinois Hospice 4751 Harrison Ave Rockford, IL 61108.