Gerald "Jerry" Gale of North Haven, Connecticut and Jupiter, Florida, died peacefully on February 24, 2017 at the age of 88. Jerry joined his wife and life partner, Sonny, after 66 years of wedded bliss, who predeceased him by just two weeks. He is survived by his children, Eva Mathieu and her husband Mark and Steven Gale and his wife Elisa; his two grandchildren, Rachael and Shane Mathieu; and his step-sister, Barbara Rabin. Jerry is preceded by his parents, Eva and Isadore Gedzelman; his step-mother, Lillian Gedzelman; and his brother, Robert Gale. Jerry was born on April 2, 1928 in Astoria Queens. He married his beloved Sonny in 1950 and soon moved to Connecticut to raise his family and pursue his career. He served in the Navy and attended Long Island University and Helfy and Brown School of Court Reporting. Jerry worked for the Superior and Federal Courts and was co-founder and CEO of Sanders, Gale and Russell, a freelance court reporting agency. He was also co-founder and president of the Connecticut Court Reporters Association. Jerry retired at the age of 84 and at that time was recognized as the oldest practicing court reporter in the nation. Jerry had so many talents and interests that he continued to pursue until his death. He was an accomplished marathon runner, a founding member of the Sleeping Giant Pacers, a relentless movie buff, a conisseur of fine food and restaurants (not to exclude his love for grits and crispy bacon), a theater goer, a cruise aficionado, and a former Knick fan. He was a political activist in his own right, always maintaining his progressive beliefs; a humanitarian and philanthropist, generous to a fault. Jerry was a lifelong learner, attending elder hostel classes, reading multiple current event periodicals, and devouring the news. And above all else, Jerry was devout in his love and commitment to his family and friends.
Funeral service at Congregation Mishkan Israel, 785 Ridge Rd., Hamden, CT, Monday at 11:30am with a reception to follow. The interment in the Mishkan Israel Cemetery will be for immediate family only. In lieu of flowers, please make a charitable contribution in Jerry's name.