Memorial Service Is July 29 for Former Board of Visitors Member Ken Geroe
Virginia Beach attorney Kenneth V. Geroe, an Old Dominion University alumnus and former member of the ODU Board of Visitors, died from complications during liver-transplant surgery July 21, 2011.
A memorial service will be held at noon Friday, July 29, at the Church of the Holy Family, 1279 North Great Neck Road, Virginia Beach. Arrangements are under the care of Hollomon-Brown Funeral Home, Great Neck Chapel.
Geroe was born Aug. 20, 1954, to Marvin "Ken" and Joan Geroe, in New York City. His family moved to Norfolk in 1956 as part of his father's U.S. Navy service. They settled in the Bayview section where Geroe grew up. He graduated from Norfolk Catholic High School and earned a bachelor's degree from ODU in 1976. He received a law degree from Marshall-Wythe Law School at the College of William and Mary in 1979.
Geroe began his legal career as an associate in the Portsmouth Commonwealth Attorney's office. After entering private practice, he founded Geroe and Rosenblatt in 1993. The firm merged in 2005 and became Brydges, Geroe, Rosenblatt and O'Brien, where he was managing partner. Geroe was appointed a commissioner of accounts by the Virginia Beach Circuit Court, a position he served in lieu of his ultimate dream - serving as the commissioner of Major League Baseball.
Geroe was active in civic and political affairs throughout the community. As president of the board of directors for the Hurrah Players for 12 years, he worked tirelessly to help them raise money and grow as an organization. He was instrumental in helping them purchase the former Chamber of Commerce building in Norfolk as their new headquarters.
Geroe also spent many years serving in leadership positions, including the ODU Board of Visitors (from 1978 to 1986), Jefferson National Bank and the State Board for Community Colleges. He served as Virginia Beach Democratic City Committee chair, Virginia Democratic State Party vice chair, chair of the Democratic Party's 2nd Congressional District and was a close aide and confidant to Congressman Owen Pickett.
Despite his many civic and business obligations, Geroe always found time for his children by supporting their involvement with the Hurrah Players and coaching any recreational league sport he knew how to play - and some he didn't - for them. His love and commitment to them was boundless.
Geroe was a loving father, devoted son, dedicated community leader, consummate professional and true friend to everyone who knew him. He considered any opportunity to help others and serve his community a privilege as well as a duty. He was loved by all and will be greatly missed.
He is survived by his four loving children: Daniel, Katherine, Caroline and Margaret. He is also survived by his parents and sister, Gabrielle "Missy" Geroe Zimmerman.
Condolences may be offered to the family at www.hollomon-brown.com.