I first met Jerry at the Rockland County One Stop and instantly had a connection with him. He was born the same year as my mother, loved literature and like my own dad, loved to tell stories ... and I loved listening to them. My favorites were  about WW2 and  he’d say “that was a long time ago!” and  laugh ... or he’s look at a picture of Italy he had in the office, a lovely simple street scene and say “you know, I could just sell everything and move there ... but then what would I do? Die?” And we’d both laugh. 

One time an unemployed woman of 65 was in his office upset that she was too old to find work. I asked Gerry “What would you do if you 65?” He laughed, got this look in his eye and said “I could take on the world!”

I was also deeply honored he used my book in his workshops and as he was also a writer I felt that him even reading my book was perhaps my proudest moment in the writing of it. 

Not a time went by when I would visit the One Stop that I didn’t go straight to his office to say “hi” and get into a dialogue about something, and I never left without spending time talking with him, it was the highlight of my day.

Gerry also taught me about food, and especially drinking coffee. He only drank his coffee black, and as he did, I started to as well, first at the One Stop, then forever after that, and every time I have my cup of black coffee I think of Gerry saying “imagine people putting sugar and cream in their coffee!”

The last time I spoke to Gerry was a short phone call to him after his fall. He had hoped to still come back to work ... even at 94 ... and it was wonderful to hear his voice. Shortly after that I  stopped going to the One Stop, it seemed to lose its spirit after Gerry left ... 

Gerry was a wonderful and sincerely beautiful person. I will think of him often, and the void he leaves will never be filled. I am honored to have called him a friend. 

I met Jerry in 1980 in the East Village at a gathering given by the AAUW.  I was drawn to his  handsome boyish smile and intelligent insights into the world at large.   While he had enormous energy, I later realized he was recovering from the loss of his beloved wife, Pearl, , and the lengths he took to keep her lucid and free of pain during her long illness.  His children are a reflection of Jerry:  beautiful, soulful, highly intelligent, sensitive and creative.  They make the world a better place.

Gerry was a treasured friend for many years.
He was a fantastic man who lived an interesting life on his own terms. 
We will miss him and he will always be in our hearts.
We can’t believe he is gone.
His family is very dear to us. They are a wonderful legacy to leave the world. He loved them more than he could ever express.
May he Rest In Peace beside his beloved Pearl.

I had the pleasure of working alongside Gerry for 5 years at the NYS Labor Department. We would travel throughout Rockland County presentating at various companies together 2009 - 2014.

Gerry was a light hearted and good natured human being. He always made me feel at ease around him and I enjoyed the many conversations, stories, and time I had with him. 

I hope memories of him will help ease the pain of his loved ones. My deepest sympathies to Gerald's family and friends.

Rest in Peace, Gerry.

Dan Bruno

OBITUARY

Gerald Kosloff

11 February, 1926 – 31 January, 2021

Schwartz Brothers-Jeffer Memorial Chapels

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