Stanley Kalsner

1936 - 2022

Stanley Kalsner PhD, died on Saturday May 7, 2022 with his family by his side. He was the beloved husband for nearly 60 years of Jenny Book Kalsner. He was born on August 21, 1936 in Brooklyn, New York and grew up in an apartment above a bakery on Avenue X. His father, William Kalsner, was a fisherman in Sheepshead Bay and died when Stanley was 11 years old leaving the family in relative poverty often relying on donations of bread from the bakery at the end of the day. Stanley's mother Sadie, struggled with complications of lupus, passing away on his 17th birthday. Despite this hardship, he went on to complete high school at James Madison High in Brooklyn and then attend New York University part-time while working during the day brushing furs and as a messenger riding his bicycle through the streets of New York. In only four years, he was able to graduate alongside his full-time classmates. His passion for science and learning led him to continue his education and earn a PhD in Pharmacology from the University of Manitoba in 1966. He then went on to complete his post-doctoral studies at the University of Cambridge in England. Dr. Kalsner spent 18 years at the University of Ottawa where his scientific career flourished. His contributions to our understanding of the mechanisms responsible for vasospasm as a final step in myocardial infarction made him a leader in his field. In 1985 he moved back to his hometown of New York City, serving as the Chairperson of the Departments of Pharmacology and Physiology at the City of College of New York - CUNY School of Medicine until 2003. At City College he taught Physiology and Pharmacology to medical students and continued his research, studying neurotransmission in the autonomic nervous system. During his career he edited numerous books including "The Coronary Artery" and the series "Trends in Autonomic Pharmacology," and published more than 100 research articles spanning a variety of critical topics in Autonomic Pharmacology. Stanley met his true love Jenny, a Holocaust survivor, when she was visiting New York City from Toronto, Canada. He took her to the Bronx Zoo for their first date, sharing his love of animals which she would eventually come to appreciate. They were married on August 4, 1963 in Toronto. The two were soulmates, spending less than a handful of nights apart for the duration of their marriage. Together they raised their three daughters: Lydia, Pamela and Louisa. Stanley shared his passion for education and knowledge with his family, always encouraging them to pursue learning to the best of their ability. He supported his wife Jenny in her quest to complete her undergraduate studies after having their three children and later to pursue a master's degree in social work. One of his favorite hobbies was collecting tropical fish, and he always had a multitude of aquariums in his home. Stanley loved to debate topics ranging from social issues to politics and science with his children, son-in-laws, and later his grandchildren. He was always the most well-read and had books piled high by his bedside. Stanley's love of learning was only surpassed by his love for his family. He treasured time spent with his children and grandchildren and was famous for giving the biggest squeezes and hugs and being unbeatable at chess. His intensity, passion, and dedication to his family will never be forgotten. Stanley is survived by his wife Jenny, daughters Lydia, Pamela and Louisa, sons-in-law Jay Silver, Michael Lowe and Richard Kershen and grandchildren, Dylan, Chloe, Noah, Tess, Olivia, Jonah, Max and Elliot. He is also survived by his sister Lynn Botsford and nieces Andrea Castellano, Dianna Botsford and Lisa Garner. A graveside funeral officiated by Rabbi James Rosen and Cantor Joseph Ness was held on May 9, 2022 at the Beth El Temple Cemetery in Avon, CT. Donations in Stanley's memory may be made to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research, www.michaeljfox.org and Beth El Temple, 2626 Albany Avenue, West Hartford, CT, 06117. Funeral arrangements provided by Hebrew Funeral Association, West Hartford.