Schutzer, Jerome

1/11/30 - 11/5/21

Jerome “Jerry” Schutzer passed away peacefully on November 5th, 2021 in Wellington, Florida with his family at his side. He is predeceased by his loving wife Harriet Mohr Schutzer, his son Mitchell Jay Schutzer, his brother Eli Schutzer, and by his parents, Louis Schutzer and Fannie (Luxenberg) Schutzer.

He was born prematurely on 1/11/30 in the Bronx, New York and spent the first few weeks of his life in a makeshift bassinette, a dresser drawer in his parent's bedroom. To help with the family finances, he began working at age 10 as a shoe-shine boy. He graduated from Stuyvesant High School and later received a bachelor's degree from the City College of New York. He attended school in the evenings so that he could work during the day at a tailor shop to help support his family. He went on to receive a law degree from Brooklyn Law School, after which he opened his law practice in the Bronx. He married the love of his life, Harriet Mohr, on December 24th, 1950, and was very happily married for nearly 66 years until her passing five years ago to the day. In 1960, he answered the call for civil service

and was elected to the New York State Assembly, and then to the Senate in 1966. With his warm and engaging personality and award-winning smile, he was asked to make a movie “A Bill is Born” detailing the legislative process. After leaving office, he joined the New York Telephone Company where he spent the next 27 years leading the Government Affairs division in Albany, New York. He became legendary at the State Capital for his uncanny ability to “cross both sides of the aisle”.

Jerry and Harriet retired to their home in Wellington, Florida in 1997 where he enjoyed spending time with family, playing golf, and staying physically fit. He was an outdoorsman and loved fishing with his sons.

He is survived by his son Steven Schutzer and his wife Karen of West Hartford, Connecticut, his daughter Hillary Schutzer Lent and her husband Michael Fishkind of Wellington, Florida, his son James Schutzer and his wife Wendy of Rye Brook, New York. He is also survived by his 11 beloved grandchildren Matthew Schutzer

and his wife Allison, Michael Schutzer, Jennifer Lent, Kimberly Lent Morales and her husband Carlos, Samantha Lent, Andrew Lent, Austin Lent, Jeremy Schutzer, Zachary Schutzer, Daniel Schutzer and George Schutzer and by his brother Philip Schutzer.

A graveside memorial service will be held on Monday November 8th at 12:30 PM, at Cedar Park and Beth El Cemeteries in Paramus, New Jersey. At the conclusion of the service, family and friends will gather at the family's home in Rye Brook, New York. The family wishes to acknowledge with gratitude Henry, Margaret, Janet, Shauna, Wendy and Caren - caregivers who were lovingly with Jerry until the end.

Jerry will be remembered for his to devotion to family and country, his infinite kindness and sense of humor, and his heart-warming smile.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Harriet M. Schutzer Fund at Saint Francis Foundation, 95 Woodland St., Hartford, CT 06105. This Fund was established in Harriet's memory to assist financially challenged patients in need of a life restoring joint replacement procedure.