Bill Text: NY J01922 | 2023-2024 | General Assembly | Introduced
Bill Title: Mourning the death of Herbert F. Geller, distinguished veteran, and devoted member of his community
Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 42-21)
Status: (Passed) 2024-03-12 - ADOPTED [J01922 Detail]
Download: New_York-2023-J01922-Introduced.html
Senate Resolution No. 1922 BY: Senator HARCKHAM MOURNING the death of Herbert F. Geller, distinguished veteran, and devoted member of his community WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to pay tribute to citizens of the State of New York whose lifework and civic endeavors served to enhance the quality of life in their communities and this great Empire State; and WHEREAS, Herbert F. Geller of North Salem, New York, died on Thursday, February 29, 2024, at the age of 102; and WHEREAS, Herbert F. Geller distinguished himself in his profession and by his sincere dedication and substantial contribution to the welfare of his community; and WHEREAS, Born on December 9, 1921, to the late Samuel and May Geller, Herbert F. Geller was a first-generation Jewish American; and WHEREAS, Herbert F. Geller joined the Signal Corps and the Committee to Defend America by Aiding the Allies; when Pearl Harbor was attacked, he enlisted in the U.S. Army where he went on to train as a radio repairman at Camp Crowder in Missouri and then was assigned to the new Army Air Corps and deployed to England; and WHEREAS, After the war ended, he manned a radio tower in ally-occupied Germany; Herbert F. Geller rose to the esteemed rank of Corporal and was honorably discharged in 1946; and WHEREAS, Upon his discharge from the United States military, Herbert F. Geller went on to study journalism at Long Island University in Brooklyn and the University of Wisconsin-Madison, ultimately receiving his bachelor's degree; and WHEREAS, Herbert F. Geller married the love of his life, Gloria Feldman, on October 7, 1956; and WHEREAS, Following a move to Mt. Kisco, New York, Herbert F. Geller worked as a patent trader, then later became a writer and editor for the Bridgeport Post where he was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize for his series on the bicentennial; and WHEREAS, Further demonstrating his innate skill for writing, Herbert F. Geller also enjoyed being a playwright, and wrote the musical "Who Built the World," about the struggles of Irish immigrants; and WHEREAS, Herbert F. Geller was a leader of the North Salem American Legion and was heavily involved in Westchester County and local politics throughout his life, often campaigning for causes and candidates he believed in; and WHEREAS, Active in his community, Herbert F. Geller was the president of his neighborhood's Candlewood Lake Association for over 20 years, and led the Memorial Day Parade for North Salem for over 30 years; and WHEREAS, Herbert F. Geller was inducted into the New York State Veterans Hall of Fame in 2011 for his dedicated service to the United States Armed Forces; and WHEREAS, Herbert F. Geller's commitment to excellence, and his spirit of humanity, carried over into all fields of enterprise, including charitable and civic endeavors; and WHEREAS, Herbert F. Geller is survived by his daughters, JeriAnn, Sharon, and Nisa; his sons-in-law, Dr. William Zinn and Jeffrey Tannenbaum; his grandchildren, Ariel, Grant, Benji, Isabella, Oriana, Joseph and Samuel; his grandson-in-law, Ben Starkweather; his great-grandson, Gabriel Starkweather; eight nieces and nephews; eight great-nieces and nephews; and his beloved caretakers, Minerva Rodriguez and Dora, Flory, and Margarita Morales; and WHEREAS, Herbert F. Geller was predeceased by his wife, Gloria and his sister, Erna Beth Drucker; and WHEREAS, Armed with a humanistic spirit and imbued with a sense of compassion, Herbert F. Geller leaves behind a legacy which will long endure the passage of time and will remain as a comforting memory to all he served and befriended; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to mourn the death of Herbert F. Geller; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to the family of Herbert F. Geller.