Sidney Gerstein

SIDNEY JOHN GERSTEIN, Born December 13, 1930 in New York City to Ada Pauline Sakowski Gerstein and Harry Gerstein, passed away peacefully on November 3, 2023 at his home in New City, NY. He graduated as Brooklyn swimming champ from Lincoln HS in Brooklyn and after being honorably discharged as Sergeant from the US Marine Corps he graduated from Baruch College (CCNY) and then spent 42 years with the ILGWU retiring as Vice President.

Sid was an avid reader, especially of history, and a skilled carpenter. He was active in Veteran Affairs, helped build four houses for Habitat for Humanity in Rockland County, was past Sr. Vice-Commandant of the Marine Corps League, Rockland County Detachment, volunteered many years for the Marines’ Toys for Tots program, loved classical music (member of Morning Music Club), and a staunch supporter of civil/social rights. During his career at the ILGWU he received numerous awards including life membership in the NAACP, served as chairman of American Labor ORT and was recognized for his extensive service to City of Hope and National Medical Center.

Sid is survived by his wife of 53 years, Bernice Rice Gerstein, and his ex-wife, Bernice Wright Gerstein, with whom he had two children: Eric D. Gerstein (son) and Abby J. Gerstein (daughter), and two grandsons: Theordore S. Gerstein and Shain M. Hanover.

Private arrangements for burial at the Frederick W. Loescher Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Rockland County took place November 20, 2023. “Once a Marine, always a Marine…Semper Fi”