Jesse J. Gersten
PHOENIX – Jesse J. Gersten passed away peacefully on Tuesday, July 30, 2018 in Phoenix, AZ. He was born on May 7, 1930 in Brooklyn, NY and has lived locally in Sun Lakes for 23 years.
After running track as a student athlete at Oklahoma State University, Jesse received a Master’s Degree in Education from Teacher’s College at Columbia University in New York City. Following his education, Jesse served our nation in the Korean War where he was stationed in Sasabo, Japan as Communications Officer, Asst. Legal Officer, andfinally Special Services Officer responsible for sponsoring sports and recreation programs for base personnel. Jesse’s second tour of duty was at the Brooklyn Navy Yard in New York.
When he was discharged from the military, Jesse pursued a career as a buyer of men’s clothing for several retailers. His next endeavor found him as the managing partner of a beverage dispensing business, David’s Soda, based out of Bristol, CT, from which he retired in the early 1990’s.
Jesse’s commitment to a life of volunteerism left him at the helm ofseveral military veterans organizations. He served numerous leadership roles as both Post and Dept. Commander each for the Jewish War Veterans and the Korean War Veterans. Jesse also drove vehicles for a community volunteer organization, Neighbors Who Care, which is based in Sun Lakes. He was the first Jewish veteran inducted into the Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame in 2004. Also, his commitment to volunteerism is memorialized with a room dedicated in his honor at the Arizona Veterans Home in Phoenix. Gersten served on committees for other military organizations that are too numerous to mention. Despite serious physical challenges, Jesse kept up his volunteer work until his final days with an intense passion.
Jesse will be remembered with these words, “Honor those who have honored you, and always remember to give back… it is not a free ride.”
He was predeceased by his daughter Karen Ann in 1993. He is survived by his loving wife Shirley of 67 years, his son Michael (Susan) of Roseland, NJ, his grandson, Benjamin of Bethesda, MD, his sister Lee Pincus and her family in Philadelphia, PA, brother-in-law Harvey Rothstein (Roberta) of Mesa, AZ.
A memorial service was held for Jesse at the Sun Lakes Interfaith Chapel on Friday August 3, 2018. Later that day he was interred at the National Cemetery in Cave Creek, AZ. A shiva service was also held at the Sun Lakes Chapel at 7:30 PM on Saturday, August 4. Memorials in Jesse’s honor can be sent to either The Jewish War Veterans, The Korean War Veterans, or The Sun Lakes Jewish Congregation.