Gershon (Gerry) Poling of Shrewsbury Borough joined his beloved wife Nov. 11, 2021, at the age of 82.
Gerry was born and raised in Columbus, Ohio. He attended high school in South Bend, Indiana, with his lifelong pals Irv and Manny. He later attended Indiana University and proudly became a Sigma Alpha Mu member. But the best thing he learned at Indiana was that he was in love with fellow Hoosier Linda Meistrich Poling. They married in 1962 and moved to Shrewsbury.
Gerry spent his professional life in public education, serving as a teacher and dean of discipline at Tottenville High School on Staten Island. Gerry was revered by students, parents and colleagues for his kindness and compassion. His colorful stories didn’t hurt either.
Gerry spent over 54 years as a Shrewsbury resident. He served as a member of the borough council and was the police commissioner. He became an associate member of the “Breakfast Club” where he broke bread and shared opinions with former police chiefs. He was also an icon on Beechwood Drive, known for his outlandish knee socks and fashion-forward frames.
Gerry’s main passion in life was the love he had for his wife Linda and daughter Laura. Gerry and Linda were married for 53 years and collaborated on finding the best restaurants, enjoying sunny days at Surfrider and Sands beach clubs, and on running their window treatment company Shady Ladies.
Gerry also had a passion for collecting Rolex watches and a weak spot for artifacts from the 1950s and 60s. He was not to be trifled with at the negotiating table.
He and his daughter Laura shared a love for travel, visiting family and friends in Michigan, Chicago, Cape May, Sedona, Los Angeles and Maine. The Chicago trips were extra special because he could spend time with his sister, nieces and their children. But every trip was sweet because he did it with Laura.
Gerry was predeceased by his loving wife Linda (née Meistrich); his parents Florence and Abraham Poling; his sister Belle Herskovits; and his mother-in-law and father-in-law Vivianne and Harold Meistrich.
Gerry is survived by his devoted daughter Laura; his sisters Gussie Sevelow and Pearl Schakett; and numerous nieces, nephews, relatives and lifelong friends who enjoyed his ever-present sense of humor and the twinkle in his eyes.
Funeral Services were held Nov. 15 at Bloomfield-Cooper Jewish Chapels, Ocean. Mausoleum entombment followed at Woodbine Cemetery, Oceanport.
The article originally appeared in the November 18 – 24, 2021 print edition of The Two River Times.
