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Gerald J. Dunbar

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New York University

Gerald Dunbar Obituary

DUNBAR--Judge Gerald J., Civil Court Judge. The Honorable Gerald J. Dunbar, a judge in the Civil Court of the City of New York, died Thursday April 12 in New York Methodist Hospital after a short and sudden illness. Born in Peoria, Illinois, January 15, 1947 and raised in Buffalo, Judge Dunbar came to New York City as a teenager to attend New York University and stayed to become a prominent attorney in Brooklyn before winning his judgeship in a city-wide election in November 2005. Prior to taking his seat on the bench, Judge Dunbar was a partner in the Brooklyn law firm of Tenenbaum, Dunbar and Berger. Earlier he was in independent practice in Brooklyn and Manhattan. His specialties as an attorney included labor law, landlord/tenant law and election law. A lifelong supporter of liberal causes and reform politics, he was well known in Brooklyn as a legal advisor to reform candidates who often challenged the Kings County political establishment. Judge Dunbar lived in the Flatbush section of Brooklyn with his wife Christine Pasquariello, a physician and former attorney. They met when both were students at Brooklyn Law School and were married in 1990. In addition to a bachelor's degree from NYU, Judge Dunbar earned a juris doctor degree from Brooklyn Law School in 1974 and a masters of law in labor law from NYU Law School in 1975. He was predeceased by his mother, Marie Dunbar, and father, Gerald Dunbar. Family and friends are planning a memorial service to celebrate his life.

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Published by New York Times on Apr. 15, 2007.

Memories and Condolences
for Gerald Dunbar

Sponsored by Christine Pasquariello, who loves you.

24 Entries

December 31, 2015

TO THE DUNBAR FAMILY,
SO SORRY TO READ THAT JUDGE DUNBAR PASSED AWAY. MY HUSBAND AND I, WERE RECOMMENDED TO GERALD DUNBAR WHEN WE NEEDED HIS ADVICE AS AN ATTORNEY.
I WAS VERY HAPPY WHEN I READ THAT HE HAD BECOME A JUDGE. I AM PROUD TO HAVE KNOWN HIM. MY DEEPEST SYMPHONY TO YOUR FAMILY.
CAROL AND RICHARD MANGELS, FORMERLY OF BROOKLYN, NY

Jay Mullin

May 14, 2007

Christine: I don't know you but I knew Gerry. I was born only four years after him, but when you are 19 and the other person is 23 it makes a big difference. I was his roommate at 31 St. Mark's Place for about a year starting sometime in 1970--I met him as a co-worker at NYU's Science Library in 1969--and he opened up a whole new world to me, of books and music and politics: I first heard John Coltrane's music when I visited him at the apartment, before I lived there. I had my first drink with him. I will treasure him forever--because he embodied thoughtfulness and political action together: never the one without the other.

April Newbauer

May 6, 2007

Dear Chris,

I am very sorry for your loss, which is also our loss in the legal community. I met Gerry when we were both candidates for Civil court judge in 2004. I thoroughly enjoyed our Brooklyn campaigning odyssey, as surreal an experience as one might ever have in life. On many occasions, Gerry's irreverance and finely tuned sense of humor helped me put the day's events in proper perspective. For example, there was at least a week on the campaign trail where neither of us could hear a thing anyone was saying(because of his ear infection and my colliding with a speeding bicycle) and he convinced me completely that it didn't matter at all.

He will be sorely missed on the bench. A welcome breath of fresh air in Queens, he was hard working, knowledgeable and willing to push for change where needed in the court system.

The memorial service was very moving and funny, and a good way to honor remember him fondly, which I certainly will.

April Newbauer

sharonnie perry

May 4, 2007

Chris,

I can't find the words to express my friendship with Gerry; I no I am Blessed having had met Gerry on this earthly journey. He allowed me to grow to be one of the best and sort after election consultant.

I will always remember his smile and the way his eyes danced when he came up with a plan when we worked to get so many judges elected, Brooklyn will never be the same. Rest assured I will stay in touch God Bless You.

Helen Lukievics

May 4, 2007

Dear Christine,
Ernie and I feel privileged to have spent time with Gerry and you at the hospital. We were all in shock. It's a cliche, but accurate to say he was looking death in the eye, and yet Gerry remained calm, soft spoken and gracious. True courage was at his core. One more conversation - about how we admire him - that we cannot have.
Thank you for the beautiful memorial service. It was a blessing.

Jim Gwyn

May 4, 2007

Poem for Gerry, May Second, Two Thousand and Seven

What do we have
when we have known someone
over half of our lives?
Gerry we called you…
and of course Gerald, and Ger,
bro, our brother, comrade, friend…

We sit in this still place
and want the right words
to take us forward,
take us to where the world
does not move on its own
but goes to where things go only
as we intend…

The elegies of Thomas Gray
gave no comfort,
nor did the measured words
of Wordsworth,
and I wanted to rage for you
in a villanelle
like the one that Dylan Thomas
sang for his father…

And so after nights of restless sleep,
this offering of insufficient words…

We hold this moment
up to the window
of our own time
and see familiar images
in that frame
flowing into the memories
of others…
of fathers, mothers,
of siblings,
relatives and friends…

Now one more image,
and with our own lives
we hold you still…
as we pause…and begin again…

Gerry, the man who is husband
the man who is brother
the man who is friend
You were the anchor
in the thrust of our wanderings,
the house on Marlborough
near the synagogue on Church,
Brooklyn U.S.A.
North America, the World…

And as we challenged that world,
you were the guide for all of us
needing legal advice…
Judge Gerry,
The Honorable Gerald J. Dunbar,
brother, friend…

And Christmas was not Christmas
unless we went to Chris and Gerry’s.
How many children had their first
Christmas at your house…
the big tree filling the foyer,
the big nutcracker, bubble candles
that I remember from the Christmases
of my own youth lining the fireplace,
your big arms and big heart
enfolding all our children with holiday,
with family, belonging, home…and love…

In our own lives,
do we think we’re ever going
to leave those moments
when we first met true friends?
When we first loved each other
with all of our hearts?

Gerry, Gerald, brother, friend.

How I remember we never said Goodbye,
it was always See you later…

How do we know what we have
when we have known someone
over half of our life?

You’ll let us know…
You will touch us on our walk
through the rest of our lives…

_____

Lee Mayersohn

May 3, 2007

Christine: I met Gerry in Judge school and we joined the Queens Civil Court together. We became friends immediately and I enjoyed all the time spent with him in Court and away at our seminars. I learned so much from him and I will miss him. I enjoyed hearing all the stories about his life at the Memorial Service and I am thankful that I had the privilege of knowing him and being his friend for the two plus years we served together. I wish you all the best.

David Raff

May 3, 2007

Dear Christine,

Gerry's memorial was a moving tribute to a fine man, a good lawyer and a wonderful friend. As his former law professor, mentor and office mate, I will sorely miss him. His sensitivity to, compassion for, and tireless efforts on behalf of, those of lesser fortune who could not speak in their own interests was a testament of his deep commitment to social justice. He was a role model for what a lawyer should be.

Bernard Whalen

May 3, 2007

Christine,

Your eulogy to Jerry, written and spoken from the heart was so much better than any entry I could ever make on these pages. I am sure Jerry was listening and like the rest of us in the audience had tears in his eyes. Love shared is the greatest gift.

Abby Petzenbaum

May 3, 2007

Gerry, a real mentch, a sensitive man; one who had a heart, kindness and vision; one who never demanded respect, but one who had a lot of love to give and considered all his acquaintances his children; he made me feel like his own son when I got this hug and kiss him; he really meant it; it came from his heart
I will miss you

JOHN AND SUSAN BELL- YOUNG

May 2, 2007

AH DEATH, SO YOU TOO ARE AN ILLUSION- JUST SO MUCH "POPPYCOCK"..

ALTHOUGH THERE ARE SOME DOWNSIDES-
NO MORE CIGARS, NO MORE MARGARITAS.
GOD HOW YOU ENJOYED LIFE WITH ALL
IT'S WEIRD ANGLES AND PECULIARITIES..
AND PLEASURES OF COURSE.

WHAT TIMES WE HAD TOGETHER; AS WELL AS A FEW NEAR-DEATH EXPERIENCES.
MAYBE MUCH TOO MUCH FUN AT TIMES,
BUT NO REGRETS.

WE'RE GONNA MISS YA, MY FRIEND
BROOKLYN WILL MISS YOU
THE WORLD WILL MISS YOU.

GOODBYE GERRY,
FRIENDS FOREVER
LOVE, JOHN AND SUSAN

CIAO BELLA

Bonnie Lober

April 30, 2007

Dear Christine, Family, and Multitides of Friends,

We share in the sadness of Jerry's untimely passing...he personified the best of humanity. We shall all miss his smile, wit, intellect, and compassion.

Andy Morris

April 22, 2007

Fondest farewells to an old and loyal friend whose wit, compassion and insights will be sorely missed. All of the memories live on with those whose lives you've enriched.

PJ Schramm

April 19, 2007

Dear Christine,
Our hearts are with you. When I told the sad news to my family. Daniel quickly responded, " That was the man with the neat house who gave me the box of crayons!" Although it was awhile ago, his kindness was remembered by a then 5 year old!

Susan Sanchez

April 19, 2007

There is a void in our hearts. No more late rendezvous’ at La Rondalla with a pitcher (ok, pitchers) of margaritas. No more strolling along Fisherman’s Wharf to pick up cracked crab and sourdough bread. No more leisurely drives to Napa where we would enjoy our feast, along with the perfunctory bottle of wine, at the picnic tables at Sattui’s Winery. But what we do have are wonderful memories of good times. And this is what I will keep close to my heart, now and always.

Patrici RUsso

April 18, 2007

YOU WILL BE MISSED BY YOUR DEAR FAMILY
AND YOUR MANY FRIENDS.

Jack Carroll

April 18, 2007

Jerry was a good colleague and friend. He practiced law with humor, compassion and great skill. I will miss him.

Thank you Gerry...

April 18, 2007

Melissa Hulbert

April 18, 2007

My Poppa Bear. You showed me the love of a father and believed that I could make the impossible possible. I am blessed to have had you in my life like i did. We all miss you dearly here at Tenenbaum & Berger..you were the creator of this family and you will never be forgotten. I hope I have made you proud and I will continue to make you proud.