Jack Gesten

Jack Gesten, 89, of Deerfield, Ill., died Aug. 18, 2012, on his birthday. He was born in Newark and lived for over 30 years in South Orange followed by 15 years in West Chatham, Mass.

He retired from Jay-Bell, the retail business he created and owned for 35 years.

He was a graduate of Weequahic High School class of 1941. He completed his undergraduate studies in business at Rutgers University.

He served in World War II as a sergeant in the United States Army Medical Corps from 1943 to 1946.

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He was active in many community and civic organizations, having served as president of a local B’nai B’rith chapter, as the longstanding chair of the 1941 Weequahic High School Reunion Committee, and as past president of the Neighborhood Watch of Tuxedo Park/South Orange.

Predeceased by his wife of 61 years, Belle, he is survived by two sons, Ellis Gesten of Holmes Beach, Fla., and Foster Gesten of Troy, NY; three daughters, Lynn Gesten of Wilmington, NC, Joyce Berg of Deerfield, and Gay Tevlin of Basking Ridge; a brother, Robert of Downingtown, Pa.; 10 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

Services were held Aug. 21 with arrangements by Menorah Chapels at Millburn, Union. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Diabetes Association.