Plan for the Future
Gerald (Gerry) A. Hale, 86, died on Monday October 28, 2013.
Gerry was born on May 9, 1927 in Kalamazoo, Michigan. A celebration of his life will be held November 1, 2013 at Christ Church, Summit, New Jersey at 11am. The burial will be private. Information and online condolences can be found on www.www.bradleyfuneralhomes.com. The family requests that in lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 400 Morris Avenue, Suite 251, Denville, NJ 07834.
Gerry graduated from Central High School in Kalamazoo, Michigan in 1945 and went on to enlist in the United States Army Air Corp. He then attended and graduated from Western Michigan University with a major in business and a minor in chemistry and economics in 1952. In 1979 he was awarded the Distinguished Alumnus Award for his many accomplishments which exemplified the aims and aspirations of his Alma Mater. Gerry’s professional career spanned more than six decades serving as an executive and consultant for numerous companies. He worked for Engelhard Minerals and Chemicals Corporation for 26 of those years, culminating as Executive Vice President of the parent corporation and President and COO of the Minerals and Chemicals Division.
Gerry and his family were residents of Summit, New Jersey for over 45 years. During this time he served as a member of the Board of Education, Common Council as Councilman-at-Large, and Trustee of Overlook Hospital and Overlook Foundation and was co-founder and a Director of the Summit Junior Baseball League. To honor his many years of dedicated service to the community, Gerry was recognized by Mayor, Jordan Glatt with a Gerald A. Hale Appreciation Day in 2009. Gerry also served as President of the Watchung Area Council of Boy Scouts of America and was awarded the Distinguished Citizen Award in 1977.
During his business career he served on numerous corporate boards, including Atlantic Energy, New Jersey Manufacturers, Lenox Corporation, Hoke, Oakite Products Corp., Summit & Elizabeth Trust Company and Keuffel & Esser Company.
Gerry was an avid fly and deep sea fisherman, skeet and trap shooter, and hunter. His sporting affiliations included Log Cabin Gun Club, Loantaka Skeet Club, Anglers Anonymous, Amwell Shooting Preserve and Little Egg Harbor Yacht Club, where he served as Chairman of the Finance Committee and Board of Trustees and was awarded the Commodore’s Cup for his many years of service. He was also a member of Baltusrol Golf Club, Beacon Hill Club, The Economic Club of New York and a life time member of the Union League Club of New York.
Gerry is survived by his wife of 60 years Emmy, his three children Jeffrey Hale of Chatham, Kate Hale Hein and her husband Arthur of Morristown, and John Hale and his wife Susan of Roseland and “Pop-Pop’s” five(5) beloved grandchildren: Matthew Hale, Alison Hale, Jack Hale, Emma Hein and Erin Hein.