Milton S "Milt" Gersh

Milton S. Gersh, 85 passed away on June 7, 2018 in Georgia. He had lived in Sarasota, Florida for many years before moving to Georgia to be closer to his daughter. Milt was born on September 30, 1932 in Portsmouth, New Hampshire to the late Ida Checkoway and the late Benjamin Gersh. Milt graduated from Boston University with a degree in instrumental music. He was an elementary music and band instructor for twenty-one years before retiring from New York State. He then pursued his passion for wine for the next thirty years owning a Wine and Liquor Shop in New York as well as a wine consultant to numerous restaurants and business establishments both in the New York and Sarasota area.

He is preceded in death by his first wife, Nancy and his second wife, Gloria and his brother, Fred Gersh. He is survived by his sister, Joanie Hankin, daughter Tama Trotti (Gersh), son, David Chase, step-daughter, Andrea Stone and his grandchildren, Michael, Devon, Rachel, Isabel and Shayna.

Milt had a love of the game of tennis and a passion for traveling and especially loved France. He spent many summers there perusing the French countryside in his VW Camper. He also played the European Tennis Tournaments for seniors in various countries driving in his bright yellow VW Camper. He spoke very highly of his friends at the Payne Park Tennis Center and enjoyed the tennis and friendships he had made there.

He was about the experience and creating memories and always had the attitude of traveling light and meeting the local people and getting the real experience of the locals. He would lament every time he would see a tour bus and say if they (tourists) wanted that type of foreign country experience they might as well stay home and watch it on TV. Milt would always say (regarding food) try it once to see if you like it otherwise youll never know what youre missing. He was a foodie and enjoyed good food paired with a wonderful wine.

Milt had a zest for travel and discovering new restaurants and cities. He passes this love of traveling on to his children and grandchildren who continue in his footsteps. In his honor, go out and get a good meal and bottle of wine and raise a toast to Milt. He will be missed dearly.