C. Gerald Goldsmith
C. Gerald (Gerry) Goldsmith passed away Saturday, November 27th in West Palm Beach, Florida at the age of 93.
Gerry was a son of the South. Shortly after the Civil War, Gerry’s grandparents settled in Trenton, Arkansas in the northern reaches of Philips County.
Gerry was born on August 2, 1928, the second son of Sadie and George Seeman Goldsmith, Sr. After Gerry’s father sudden death at age 36, Gerry and his older brother George Jr. were raised in the household of his aunt Retta Goldsmith Solomon and her husband Lafe Solomon in Helena, Arkansas.
Gerry left the South to attend The Culver Military Academy and later graduated from the University of Michigan and the Harvard Business School. His business career spanned Wall Street, Real Estate, and Banking.
He was Chairman of Palm Beach Bank and Trust and served on the board of Cypress Trust. He was active in the Palm Beach community serving on the Police Retirement Board, Town Council, and several Review Boards. In his 80s Gerry ran for Mayor of Palm Beach and lost by one vote!
An avid golfer, Gerry won the Club Championship at the Palm Beach Country Club and was instrumental in making course improvements over the years. He was a member of Palm Beach Country Club, Deepdale Golf Club, Century Country Club, and Trump International Golf Club.
His previous three marriages ended in divorce. He is survived by his 4 children, Andrew, Alice and her husband David, John and his wife Alicia, Colin and his husband Patrick, and 7 grandchildren: Jack, Max, Evelyn, Lily, Gillian, Jenna, and Chess.
Rabbi Debra Kassoff will preside over a graveside service for the family on December 7 at Beth El Cemetery in Helena where Gerry will be interred amidst three generations of his ancestors.
Donations in his name may be made to: Institute of Southern Jewish Life, P.O. Box 16528, Jackson, MS 39236 and/or Temple Beth El Cemetery Fund c/o Billings Bookkeeping 302 Cherry St, #404 Helena, AR 72342.
Graveside service will be handled by Roller-citizens Funeral Home of West Helena, (870) 572-2571. Relatives and friends may sign the online guestbook at www.rollerfuneralhomes. com/westhelena.