Seymour W. Geller

Seymour W. Geller, age 94, died on December, 19, 2016 in his home in West Orange, surrounded by family. Sy was born in 1922 in the Ironbound section of Newark, NJ, son of Otto and Bella (Wachs) Geller. He married the love of his life, Stella (Goldberg) Geller, in 1955, and celebrated their 61st anniversary in September 2016.

Sy grew up in Newark, roller skating in Weequahic Park and working in his parent’s tavern before, during, and after Prohibition. After graduating from Weequahic High School, Sy enlisted in the US Army, where he fought in France and Germany as a Technical Sergeant in Patton’s 3rd Army. Under the GI Bill, he earned a business degree from Stern College of NYU and founded Advisory Insurance Service which he ran with Stella for many many decades. He later returned to school, earning a Master’s degree in psychology at Montclair State College. He continued his doctoral studies at NYU and ultimately earned a doctorate degree. He enjoyed many years as a school psychologist in Cliffside Park and West Orange NJ.

Sy was an artist, sportsman, and athlete. He was an avid photographer his whole life, his work ranging from portraiture to travel and art photography. He taught ceramics at Montclair Art Museum for many years and shared his craft for First Mountain Crafters and NJ Designer Craftsmen. He enjoyed surf fishing and the beach in summer and cross country skiing in the winter. He and Stella enjoyed decades of bicycle rides together as well as extensive travel domestically and abroad. Sy was a voracious reader with almost perfect recall of everything he read, including the poetry of Dylan Thomas and TS Eliot. His humor and sharp intellect made every discussion lively and intellectually engaging.

Sy was preceded in death by his parents, his beloved sister, Harriette, and step sister Pearl Marlin. He is survived by his wife, Stella, and four children, Perri (Michael Clark), Katje Spier, Alison (Donald Freundlich), and Andrew (Peg Carlson), along with six grandchildren and his beloved nieces, Lynne Ash and Dale Greenfield. Special thanks to Al Vacca for his love and support to the family.

A funeral service will be held at Bernheim Apter Kreitzman Suburban Funeral Chapel, 68 Old Short Hills Road, Livingston, NJ at 11:00 am on Thursday, December 22. Interment will be in B’nai Abraham Memorial Park, Union. Shiva will be held at the family home in West Orange, NJ following the burial.

Donations may be made in Sy’s name to the West Orange Public Library, 46 Mount Pleasant Avenue, West Orange, NJ 07052.