Dr. Gerson H. ("Sonny") Sparer passed away on April 2, 2024. He is survived by his beloved wife Sylvia, his children Mitch, Lida, Chaim, and Abraham (by birth) and Garrett, Jamie, and Carol (by marriage), his grandchildren Nicole and Jeremy (and their siblings Isabelle and Frankie), his sister Rochelle (his sister Flo passed years ago), and many nieces and nephews. Gerson’s love for mathematics led him to obtain a Ph.D. in number theory at NYU, where he met his longtime friend and mentor Harold N. Shapiro and became a beloved member of the Shapiro family as well.
In addition to his work with Harold (including projects for the petroleum industry and the space program), Gerson worked at Pratt Institute for over 50 years - first as a professor, later also as a union president and representative. He had a playful spirit, a kind and loving heart, and a wicked sense of humor. He loved his family, puns, puzzles and games, and dancing - and he had an Erdös number of 1.
Please contact family members about the shiva. Donations may be made in Gerson’s memory to the American Heart Association or Gift of Life bone marrow registry
A funeral service for Gerson will be held Friday, April 5, 2024 from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM at Sinai Chapels, 114-03 Queens Blvd, Forest Hills, NY 11375. Following the funeral service will be a committal service from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM at Wellwood Cemetery, 1400 Wellwood Avenue, West Babylon, NY 11704.
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