Longtime watch executive Mort Gershman dies

Morristown, N.J.--Mortimer “Mort” Gershman, a well-known executive in the watch industry and member of the 24 Karat Club of New York City, died Monday. He was 89 and just one week away from celebrating his 61st wedding anniversary.

Born July 19, 1926 in Providence, R.I., he grew up in Elizabeth, N.J., the son of the late Morris and Bessie Gershman. He graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School and served briefly in the U.S. Navy during World War II.

While Gershman worked in the cosmetics and fragrance industries for a time, he spent more than 40 years in the watch industry, holding senior management level positions with Seiko Corp. of America, Zenith Movado Time Corp., Time Products Corp. of Elgin National Industries and Lorus Products, a Seiko affiliate.

According to his family, Gershman was someone who enjoyed a full life and whose affection, wise counsel and gentle, loving presence will be missed.

He also was an active volunteer in his community, dedicating time to the 24 Karat Club of New York as well as to the Jewish Family Service Agency of Eastern Union County, the Elizabethtown Healthcare Foundation, the Make-a-Wish Foundation and Temple B’nai Israel. He also played a key role in the discussions surrounding the consolidation of Elizabeth General Medical Center and St. Elizabeth Hospital that resulted in the creation of the Trinitas Regional Medical Center.

Gershman leaves his wife of 60 years, Jacqueline; son Mark and daughter-in-law Nancy; daughter Pamela and son-in-law Jorge; and grandchildren Alyson, Jesse and Sara Rose. He also had many close friends, colleagues in the watch and jewelry industry.

Services are scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 4 at 2 p.m. at Bernheim-Apter-Kreitzman Suburban Funeral Chapel, 68 Old Short Hills Road, Livingston, N.J. A graveside commitment ceremony will follow.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Mort Gershman Memorial Fund at Trinitas Regional Medical Center. Click “donate now” at the top of the page, fill out the form and select “restricted giving,” then type in Mort Gershman.

Donations also may be made to the Trinitas Health Foundation-Gershman Fund, P.O. Box 259, Elizabeth, NJ 07207, to the Gershman Fund at the Jewish Family Service of Central New Jersey or by mail to JFS-Gershman Fund, 655 Westfield Ave., Elizabeth, NJ 07208.