Gerald L. Klass, age 87, formerly of Livingston, New Jersey, passed away on November 5, 2024. Jerry was raised in the Weequahic section of Newark by Russian immigrant parents, Dottie and Lou, who gave their children the chance to live the American Dream.
He earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan and a master’s degree from Rutgers. He taught American history and Asian studies at Westside High School in Newark for 35 years and at several local colleges.
Jerry moved to Livingston in 1969 with his first wife, Myrna (Fastow) Klass, who died seven years later. At Livingston’s annual fireworks display, he met his new love Linda (Lefkowitz) Burke, who also had three young children. They married and bravely raised six children together.
He leaves his wife, Linda Klass; children Lisa Kent (David Glassberg), Abby Burke, Michael Klass (Susan), Jeffrey Burke (Julie), Rachel Olinsky (Howard), and Florie Burke (Judy); and grandchildren Daniel, Joanna, Corey, Nina, Jeremy, Marissa, Liam, Aniyah, Lauren, Bryan, and Zoe.
Funeral arrangements were handled by Bernheim-Apter Kreitzman Suburban Funeral Chapel.
