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SF’s Cherished “Tom & Jerry” Xmas House’s Owner Has Died

Dr. Jerome Goldstein, the beloved ‘Jerry’ of SF’s famous “Tom and Jerry” Christmas house, has passed away at the age of 82
By - posted 12/14/2023 No Comment

Sadly, SF Gate has shared the news that Dr. Jerome Goldstein, the beloved ‘Jerry’ of SF’s famous “Tom and Jerry” Christmas house has passed away at the age of 82. Goldstein was a prominent gay rights activist, and was also well known for his over-the-top Christmas decorations on the Noe Valley home he shared with his late husband Tom Taylor.

The home was festooned with elaborate decorations for the holidays including gigantic oversized stockings inscribed with Tom and Jerry.

Tom and Jerry’s Christmas Tree has delighted San Franciscans for over 30 years. The massive 65 foot tall Norfolk Island Pine, outside their home, is a live Christmas tree that was originally purchased by the couple in 1973 as a house plant. The tree stands proudly outside of their home at 3650 21st St, and every year, a small team of loyal volunteers helped decorate the tree with over-the-top, unique decorations. Their home was even featured on ABC’s “Great Christmas Tree Light Fight.”

Sadly, Goldstein’s husband, Tom Taylor, a fellow longtime LGBT activist passed away at age 77 on October 20, 2020. Volunteers helped decorate the home in 2020, but the home hasn’t been adorned for the holidays since.

Dr. Goldstein was a renowned doctor and was Chief of Neurology at St. Francis Hospital where he specialized in neurological problems related to HIV and AIDS. The couple founded the Diversity Foundation of San Francisco to combat the discrimination and prejudice against all sexual orientations, socio-economic statuses, religions, ethnicities, and ages, by dissemination of the results of scientific research.