Our community collectively mourns the passing of Gerry Glasser, a life-long resident of Westfield, who passed away on Sunday. Gerry was a dedicated civic leader in Westfield and it’s surrounding community, championing many causes including the Westfield Foundation, Overlook Hospital and IMAGINE, Inc., a Center for Coping with Loss.
Gerry was a full-time member of the New York University faculty for 39 years where he received a B.S. in economics and statistics, a M.B.A in statistics and a Ph.D. in mathematics and statistics. In addition to his career at New York University, he was a co-founder and principal in the media-marketing research company, Statistical Research, Inc., known as “the Tiffany of market research companies.”
Gerry served as a trustee on the Westfield Foundation board for 6 years, serving as the Foundation President from 2001-2003. Gerry was a valued trustee on the Overlook Foundation Board where he served as Chairman from 2008 – 2010, and the Chairman of the Overlook Foundation Grants Committee from 2005 – 2011. In addition, Gerry was a trustee of the Overlook Medical Center Advisory Board and Chairman of Overlook’s Community Health Committee.
Gerry’s contributions as a philanthropic leader are extensive. In 2005 he established the Glasser Lecture, a community lecture series addressing health and the public interest, in honor of his son, Thomas Glasser who died in the World Trade Center on September 11,2001. Gerry was instrumental in the founding of IMAGINE Inc, providing the initial funding as well as his guidance and support.
Gerry was a trustee of Union County College’s Board of Governors where he recently established a track scholarship. He was an author and a recipient of numerous professional and civic awards, and in September 2012 he was inducted into the Westfield Historical Society’s Hall of Fame. This past March, he was honored as Westfield’s Citizen of the Year.
We have lost a true humanitarian and a generous philanthropist. His contributions are tremendous and he will be missed.