Gerald Glasser Mourned by Westfield Community

This story was updated at 4 p.m. to include donation information.

Octogenarian Dr. Gerald Glasser of Westfield died Sunday.

In March, the life-long Westfield resident was named Westfield Citizen of the Year and honored by the Westfield Town Republican Committee at a dinner held at the James Ward Mansion.

"Gerry was a kind and warmhearted friend who dedicated his life to helping children and the less fortunate," Assemblyman Jon Bramnick (R-District 21), a fellow Westfielder, told Patch. "Westfield has lost a true champion for our community. Patricia and my thoughts go out to Marlene and the entire Glasser family on this tremendous loss."

Glasser earned a B.S. in economics and statistics, an M.B.A. in statistics and a Ph. D. in mathematics and statistics from New York University, where he served as a faculty member for nearly four decades. An internationally-recognized expert on sampling and data analysis, Glasser founded Statistical Research Inc. in 1969. The market research firm began on Prospect Street and grew to employee as many as 200.

Glassser was also a major philanthropist, supporting many Westfield causes including the Westfield Foundation and Imagine, A Center for Coping with Loss.

He was described on Imagine's website as "the catalyst and inspiration for the start of the Center." An initial grant for startup funding for Imagine was provided through the Thomas Glasser Foundation, a philanthropic organization set up in memory of Glasser’s son, Thomas Glasser, who was a victim of the 9/11 attack. 

"We are terribly saddened by the death of our dear friend and benefactor Gerry Glasser," Imagine's executive director Mary Robinson stated.  "Imagine would not exist without Gerry who was the catalyst and visionary for creating a center of healing and hope for  families coping with loss in the Westfield area and beyond. He was the kindest, most generous, and most humble person I know. I am personally indebted to him for his support and friendship, and for his mentorship and guidance. We will all miss him so much."  

In addition, Glasser supported Overlook Medical Center and the Reeve History and Cultural Center. He also sat on the Board of Governors of Union County College.

A Westfield High School class of 1949 graduate, Glasser served as the editor-in-chief of the Hi’s Eye. He also contributed to The Westfield Leader.

When Glasser was inducted into the Westfield Historical Society's Hall of Fame in 2012, he noted that Westfield “means a great deal to me my entire life. I could go on and on about my love affair with [it] . . . WHS prepared me for the real world. I had many wonderful teachers there, many of whom I remember fondly . . ..”

At the induction ceremony, Steve Stone, chairman of the Overlook Foundation expressed his appreciation for Glasser’s contributions. Glasser was also described by his friend Vincent Romano as being “a wonderful friend and professional.”

Glasser's funeral will be held at Temple Emanu-El at 1 p.m. on Tuesday. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Glasser's name to Imagine, A Center for Coping With Loss. They can be mailed to P.O. Box 711, Westfield, NJ 07090. For more information, visit http://www.imaginenj.org.