Gerald R. Helm

Cheshire, MA — Gerald R. Helm, 64, passed away on Monday, April 6, 2026, at St. Peter’s Hospital in Albany following a brief illness. Jerry was the loving husband of Michele Barriere Helm.

Born in Albany, he was the son of Philomene (Lesch) VanKampen and his late stepfather, Edward K. Van Kampen. He was raised in Rensselaer and Schodack, later residing in East Greenbush, and most recently in Cheshire, Massachusetts.

Jerry cherished summers at his family’s camp on Lake George and at their cottage on Lake St. Catherine in Poultney, Vermont, where he enjoyed boating and fishing. He was a graduate of Maple Hill High School and earned his bachelor’s degree from Siena College in 1984.

Jerry served as the East Coast Sales Manager at Colavita USA, LLC in Edison, New Jersey, a food importing company, where he worked for the past 9 years.

An avid sports fan, Jerry especially enjoyed playing golf with his Monday night league at Olde Post Road Golf Course and at Burden Lake Country Club. On weekends, he could often be found fishing or boating. He and his sons shared a love of baseball and traveled across the country together with the goal of visiting every Major League stadium. Jerry also found great joy in traveling with his wife and friends, creating lasting memories on many adventures.

In addition to his beloved wife and mother, Jerry is survived by his children: Gerald Helm, Jr. (partner Angela McCarty), Courtney Schaeffer (fiancé George Gounelas), Jack Helm and his wife, Chloe, and Reagan Schaeffer (fiancé Adam Boislard); his sister, Denise Salerno; and his nieces, Jamie and Carly Salerno.

A celebration of Jerry’s life will be held on Sunday, April 19th, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Burden Lake Country Club, 162 Totem Lodge Road, Averill Park.

Condolences may be shared, candles lit, and service information viewed by visiting brycefuneralhome.com.

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