Volunteer Spotlight: Jerry Cichocki

by Greg Clary

If you stop by Watershed Books on a Thursday or Friday, you’re likely to be greeted by the friendly face of Jerry Cichocki, a dedicated supporter of all things Watershed for the past four years.

In 2021, Jerry and his wife, Nancy, moved from Carlisle, PA, to the small town of Brookville to be closer to their daughter, Jessica—Executive Director of the Watershed Journal Literary Group—and their two grandsons, Owen and Everett. Jerry credits his involvement with Watershed as a key part of his transition to life in western Pennsylvania.

Originally from Chicago, Jerry earned a degree in Sociology from DePaul University and began his career in insurance, handling claims and related tasks. It was the early days of computerized data processing, and Jerry was selected to develop expertise in the emerging field of management information systems. This opened doors to new career opportunities with companies looking to establish and implement data analysis systems. He and Nancy married in Portland and eventually made their way back east, settling in Mechanicsburg.

A lifelong Chicago White Sox fan, Jerry also has a deep love for jazz, especially the music of Miles Davis and John Coltrane. One of his favorite books is “But Beautiful: A Book About Jazz”, by Geoff Dyer. Though he wasn’t much of a reader in his youth, he has since become an avid one. In fact, he recently launched and now leads the monthly Contemporary Literature Book Club at Watershed Books, held on Sunday afternoons and open to all.

Beyond his literary contributions, Jerry volunteers with the Seneca Rocks Chapter of the National Audubon Society in Clarion and stays active by working out at least three times a week at Clarion’s state-of-the-art YMCA. He and Nancy are also passionate gardeners, focused on incorporating native plants and pollinators into their landscape.

Jerry is grateful for the support and inspiration he’s found within the Watershed literary community and is especially proud of Jessica’s leadership in its growth and success. In turn, the Watershed Literary Group is fortunate to have such a dedicated and engaged member. His presence and service have been instrumental in strengthening Watershed’s impact and vitality in the Pennsylvania Wilds region.