Born and raised in Canton, PA, Jerry learned a strong work ethic at his father’s meat market, the Brann Meat Market on Main Street. He graduated from Canton High as Valedictorian of the Class of 1952. Jerry graduated form the University of Notre Dame in 1956 and then served 2 years in the Army with a missile battalion stationed in Tappan, NY. Jerry then returned to Notre Dame Law School and graduated in 1962 with his law degree.
He worked with a law firm in Philadelphia for one year and then returned home to join the Evan Williams Law Firm in Troy, PA in 1964. He eventually became senior partner of the Brann, Williams, Caldwell & Blaney firm.
Jerry married Joy Madigan in 1964. They have been married 56 years. They have three children; Matthew who is a Federal Judge, David who is a practicing attorney in the firm, and Sara who is a teacher in Massachusetts. Joy and Jerry have 4 grandchildren.