A prominent businessman and community leader in Akron has passed away.

Jerry Shaw, who with his family built the successful Sterling Jewelers business in Akron, and who was very active in community affairs, died Saturday at the age of 93.

Akron's Shaw Jewish Community Center was named for Jerry Shaw in 2004.

Shaw JCC executive director Todd Rockoff says Shaw died peacefully, with his family nearby, on Saturday.

"He was kind, he was caring of those around him," Rockoff reflected in an interview with AkronNewsNow.com on Sunday. "He was incredibly giving and very, very humble all at the same time."

Rockoff says Jerry Shaw did not seek recognition for what he did for the community.

"Not seeking that kind of recognition, but certainly deserving of it," Rockoff shared with AkronNewsNow. "And we were incredibly proud and honored to rename the JCC in his honor back in 2004."

At his death, Shaw was chairman emeritus of Akron-based Sterling Jewelers, now a subsidiary of London's Signet Group. 

The local company started with a single downtown Akron store known as LeRoy's Jewelers, started by Shaw's father Henry.  Sterling is now Signet's North American subsidiary., and recently signed a multi-year deal to remain based in Akron.

Rockoff says working at the JCC, he learned a lot from Jerry Shaw.

"I feel very honored to have known him and to have, over the last 10 years that I've been here at the JCC, have the opportunity to get  to know him and learn from him," Rockoff says, "because whenever you sat with him, you learned something."

Shaw's funeral will be held at the JCC named in his honor, on Wednesday at 11 AM.

Added 11:57 a.m. Monday, April 23, 2012 - statement from Sterling Jewelers, Inc.

“Along with the his family, we share with great sadness the passing of Jerry Shaw.  For more than a quarter-century Jerry served as Sterling’s Chairman Emeritus, and, before that, he ran the company that his father Henry founded 100 years ago. While the growth of Sterling was important, Jerry always stated, ‘The most important factor in our success is that we should never, never forget is our People.’  He never lost sight that it was the Teams in Akron’s Home Office and in the stores across the country that made the Sterling difference.  Many of us had the honor of working with, and learning from Jerry. His humble leadership style will always be remembered and celebrated.”  - Mark Light, Sterling Jewelers Inc. President and CEO