Jordan Baris

Jordan Bruce Baris was born in Brooklyn, NY to Joseph and Ida (Gleischenhaus) Baris and grew up along with his younger sister, Barbara. As his parents had twelve siblings, most of whom lived nearby, there were lots of cousins around. After graduating from Erasmus Hall High School, he volunteered to enlist in the Navy where he served in the Pacific, primarily in the Philippines, during and following the end of WWII. Returning home, he graduated from City College, where he developed an interest in real estate.

After quickly establishing himself as a very successful real estate agent, in 1952 Jordan moved to New Jersey and founded his company, Jordan Baris, Inc., which 68 years later is still in business as Jordan Baris Real Living under the leadership of his son, Ken. While building the business, Jordan also served as president of numerous chambers of commerce, real estate boards and other civic organizations. Twice he was honored with the Realtors Community Service Award, one of very few people to be so recognized multiple times.

In the 1970s, looking to find practical, sensitive solutions to the crime problems that plagued many cities and towns, he took the initiative to form the New Jersey Coalition for Safe Communities. The Coalition brought together business, labor, religious and civic leaders to understand each other’s perspectives and developed practical solutions to reduce crime and help people live more safely and with less fear.

While in the Navy, Jordan developed an interest in flying, which became his primary hobby for many years. He owned a Beechcraft Bonanza, which he flew cross-country several times and locally on weekends. He also picked up tennis, which he enjoyed playing several times a week until just a few years ago.

Jordan enjoyed a wonderful 58-year marriage to Marjorie (Cohen), living in Newark and West Orange while raising three children, Russell, Joan Terry and Kenneth. They greatly enjoyed five grandchildren, Deanna, Jodie, Reid, Aidan and Holden. Since Marjorie’s passing in 2014, he lived in Maplewood and Livingston.