Gerard J. Myer

Gerard Joseph Myer (November 26, 1960 – May 16, 2021), former resident of Ridgewood, born in Camden, New Jersey. A graduate of Ridgewood High School Class of ‘79, he attended Our Lady of Mount Carmel Elementary School and George Washington Junior High, also in Ridgewood.

Beloved brother, uncle, and great uncle, known as Gerry to his friends and relatives, he was notorious for his outrageous sense of humor, as described by his friend Olivia: “Comedy had to be his claim to fame. He would have us laughing so hard at times that we were crying and pounding on our knees”.

He was also known for his acts of kindness. For most of his life, his career was in in the floral industry, which meant the women in his household would have a fresh rose on their dressers once a week. When he switched gears in 2014 to run the warehouse facilities for Jericho Project, a men`s recovery program in Brisbane, California, he would tutor the young residents on evenings and weekends for their GED exams. Many young men graduated high school because of his efforts; they were often the first in their families to do so.

For months, he’d meet his housemate when she finished her late shift at a restaurant. Neither of them had a car, and he didn’t want her walking home alone at night.

Gerry’s work at Jericho gave him the purpose he sought. Having struggled with alcoholism himself, he visited hospitals and jails to speak about alcoholism and recovery, and served as a sponsor. He signed his emails, “CA, NJ, AZ”, the three states where he divided his time, followed by “Mind, Body, Spirit,” his watchwords.

According to his nephew Max DeNike, Gerry was “a terrific competitor” at Words With Friends. Max’s brother Emmanuel recalls Gerry’s love of baseball, “not just as a fan, but as a player. Every time I saw him out on the field, he was having an absolute blast, running around, hitting the ball, and hurling jokes the whole time!” Gerry exchanged texts almost daily with his brothers Ray and John about the Philadelphia Phillies, Philadelphia Eagles, and Philadelphia 76ers. Ray remembers him as “a mad Phillies fan and an equally mad Eagles fan”. Gerry’s extensive sports knowledge was a source of pride, as were his years coaching Little League.

Gerry is survived by his partner Sowena Almosara, sisters Susan Myer Silton (Michael Silton), Sally Ann Myer Zwain and Theresa Murphy; sister-in-law Cindy Myer; and brothers Raymond (Valerie), Richard (Kenji Takenaka), and John. Nephews and nieces Emmanuel (Migdalia) and Max (Marija) DeNike; Gabrielle (Dave Hunter), and Jake (Lia), Tony (Lindsay Dworkin), Adam (Oliver Sio), and Aaron (Erich Heyssel) Zwain; Melissa and Samantha Myer; Justin (Danielle) and Josh (Jessica Lompado) Wilson; Caitie and Michael Murphy; Allyson (Danielle Salt), Sandra and Evan Myer; and great nieces and nephews Gabriella, Julianna and Luka DeNike; Vivian and Lev Zwain; Michael Dworkin, Chloe Zwain, Faye Sio, and Cole Lompado-Wilson.

Gerry was preceded in eternal life by his parents Raymond and Theresa, his brother Robert, his brother-in-law Michael Murphy, and his great-niece, Amelia Simone Hunter.

A graveside Funeral Service will be held on Monday, June 7th at 11:00 AM at George Washington Memorial Park, Paramus, NJ. Please click on the following link to view the live stream:
https://my.gather.app/remember/gerard-myer