Jerry was raised in the Weequahic section of Newark by Russian immigrant parents, Dottie and Lou, who gave their children the chance to live the American Dream.
He earned a BA from the University of Michigan and a MA from Rutgers. He taught American history and Asian studies at Westside High School in Newark for 35 years and at several local colleges.
Jerry moved to Livingston in 1969 with his first wife, Myrna (Fastow) Klass, who died 7 years later. At Livingston’s annual fireworks display he met his new love Linda (Lefkowitz) Burke, who also had three young children. They married and bravely raised six children together.
He leaves his wife, Linda Klass; children Lisa Kent (David Glassberg); Abby Burke; Michael Klass (Susan); Jeffrey Burke (Julie); Rachel Olinsky (Howard); and Florie Burke (Judy); and grandchildren Daniel, Joanna, Corey, Nina, Jeremy, Marissa, Liam, Aniyah, Lauren, Bryan and Zoe.
Contributions in Gerald's memory may be made to National Museum of the American Indian, https://americanindian.si.edu/support/giving; and The Newark Museum of Art, https://newarkmuseumart.org/donate/.
