Gerald Goldsmith, 75, of West Long Branch, NJ passed away July 23, 2024 surrounded by his loving family.

Better known as Gerry, he was born in Brooklyn, NY and raised both in Brooklyn and the Bronx.  A smart kid and hard worker, he achieved good recognition through high school and earned a bachelor’s degree from Columbia University, College of Engineering, before graduating with a Degree in Podiatric Medicine from the New York College of Podiatric Medicine.

His world became incredible the moment he met the love of his life, Linda in high school in the Bronx.  After high school and college, they married and enjoyed 53 years together.  In addition to the loving marriage, they worked together side by side in their podiatric practice of 38+years serving the West Long Branch community and expanding their friendships with the fantastic patients that so fortunately encountered Gerald’s bedside manner and Linda’s charm.  Never looking at the clock and wanting to get a complete history and hearing about every activity of kids and grandkids or the family vacations, the medical practice was more of a friendly catch-up.  And if the practice didn’t seem like enough, he wanted to help the elderly community in Monmouth County serving those at multiple nursing homes almost every night for 30 years.

Gerald’s joy was striving to give to his children, Michael and Amy, everything that he could.  Whether it was bedtime stories/good night songs, helping with homework, practicing sports, watching favorite programs, or taking the family on vacations to the Concord in the Catskills, Wildwood, Disney, or a surprise Broadway show, the love showed in the smallest of gestures.  The smiles on family photos and movies could take you back to the experience of those loving moments.  Fast forwarding through high-school and college graduations and the pride of his children achieving as adults in their own fields made him the proudest man on earth.

Gerry’s single greatest hobby was sharing every free moment with his family, especially Linda who some could say both were attached at the hip to each other.  Anyone who met them could recognize what soulmates meant. Gerry loved listening to ballads and other love songs and whisper to Linda: “they wrote that about us.” and take each other for a little spin of dancing with his head on her shoulder.  Love was always in his heart, and you could feel the warmth as he shared it with you.

And the shame in life is fragileness.  Health cutting short the medical practice not being able to retire properly with the conversations of his friends who were secondarily patients.  Not getting the golden years that apparently are not promised to everyone.  Fighting incredibly against a disgusting disease that never went into slumber for even a moment.  Always having to fight for 8 long years in active treatment, but always still the kind sweet loving man that could light up a room.  And anyone who knew him, he wore his heart on his sleeve and was willing to cry and bear hug anyone.

Gerry is survived by his family and friends.  If you knew him whether for 50 years or 5 minutes, you were his friend because he had an open heart for everyone he came across.  Keep your heart open to the possibility of love and friendship.

Thank you to the countless medical professionals and staff at the various facilities specifically, Hackensack University Medical Center – John Theurer Cancer Center, Monmouth Medical Center BBR2 and BBR4, and Monmouth Hematology – Vantage Point.

Services for Gerry were privately held.

Gerry kept private the last 8 years, so any remembrances via card or online would be appreciated so he and his family can feel the kindness come back full circle, and that this community was everything that he loved. The family asks that any donations be made in his memory to the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation or the American Cancer Society, to end these terrible diseases. For messages of condolences, please visit the page of tributes at wbhfh.com

Gerry – We love you and will always miss you!  The world lost a righteous soul on earth.  Going to miss those hugs and smiles.