Jerry Gilman

This article appeared in the Townsman, December 24 edition

Woodstock, December 21

Despite the tremendous snowstorm making roads almost impassable there was a large gathering for the service for Jerry Gilman at the Woodstock Jewish Congregation temple on Sunday, December 21, Rabbi Jonathan Kligler officiating. Gilman died in his home in Shady the previous Wednesday. Those anticipating a somber occasion would be surprised; Gilman before he died had not only selected the names of those to speak at his service, he also insisted on a celebratory theme.

Brian Hollander and Leslie Gerber, who worked for Gilman when he and his wife Sasha blazed the WDST (100.1 FM) radio station trail back in the 1980s, told stories reveling in Gilman's foibles and idiosyncrasies, but also conveying deep love and respect for the man who had given them their opportunities. Gerber went so far as to call Gilman "a pain in the ass" and "a curmudgeon," but again with affection that far outweighed other memory of a man known to be highly literate and neither a small taskmaster nor a sufferer of fools. Former WDST employee Betty MacDonald paid tribute with a moving jazz composition on violin. Terrie Rosenblum paid tribute to her friend of several decades with a very amusing reminiscence of Gilman antics.

His daughter Julie, perhaps to be expected despite her father's command for levity, issued a moving tribute to a loving father.

All the speakers as part of their narrations told of a caring mentor, a generous friend, a scathing wit and a man possessed of bravery and integrity. He was also said to be quite fond of bulldogs, and Winchester was cited as the latest of a long line.

Gilman's wife of 54 years, Sasha, his daughter Julie, and two grandchildren survive him. A son, Michael passed away earlier this decade.