Gerald Edward Swimmer 1944-2024

Gerald Edward Swimmer passed away on October 3rd, his 80th birthday, after a year long illness. He was loved by his wife of 58 years, Dorothy Swimmer, son Ted (Dana), and daughter Robin Goldstein (Bart), along with six adoring grandchildren: Matthew, Caroline, Noah, Timothy, Georgia, and Jacob. Gerry was a devoted family man, accomplished business executive, and a kind, loyal, joyful person. He was loved and admired by all who knew him and will be greatly missed.

Born on October 3, 1944, Gerry was the son of Seymour and Marcia Swimmer and grew up with his sister Janice Wade in Queens, NY. He attended Queens College where he met his wife Dorothy and then received a law degree from Harvard Law School. He started his career at the law firm Hughes Hubbard & Reed before moving to Ingersoll Rand where he worked for thirty years. There, Gerry rose to the executive ranks overseeing tax and insurance. He reveled in the relationships he made at IR and served as a mentor to many. After residing for 40 years in Rye, NY, Gerry retired and continued to follow his interest of law and history by teaching classes in Hilton Head, SC. Gerry had many passions including reading, exercise, golf, sports, and political theory. Dorothy and Gerry enjoyed long walks on the beaches of Hilton Head and the mountains of Lenox, MA. They shared a love for the arts, frequently taking in museums, plays, and concerts at Tanglewood. Gerry maintained close friends from all facets of his life, relishing in book clubs, golf games, and discussion groups. He fostered strong relationships with all of his grandchildren and loved being on the golf course with his grandsons. Gerry was a lifelong New York Yankees and Giants fan and always enjoyed sports banter with his children and grandchildren. Above all else, Gerry’s greatest joy was spending time with his family, telling stories, and smiling widely (often tearing up) as he watched them delight in being together.

A celebration of Gerry’s life will be held at 11AM at Temple Beth El, 220 S. Bedford Road, Chappaqua, NY on Sunday, October 6. The family will be sitting Shiva at the home of Robin and Bart Goldstein, Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday, October 6-8.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Percy E. Sutton SEEK Program at Queens College which benefits qualified equity-deserving high school graduates (qcseek.info or Delany Hall, Kew Gardens Hills, NY 11367), Tanglewood (bso.org or 297 West Street, Lenox, MA 01240), or Lean Ensemble Theater (leanensemble.org or Lean Ensemble Theater, PO Box 23214, Hilton Head Island, SC 29925).