George Terrence "Terry" Van Gilder

Terry Van Gilder passed away surrounded by love on December 27, 2025 after a long life of service and caring for his family and others. He spent his early life in and around Millville, NJ where in high school he met his wife of 59 years, Louise Van Gilder. Terry was named George because he was born on George Washington's birthday, but his older brother Lowell named him Terry for his favorite comic strip, Terry and The Pirates. Terry never met a stranger and always worked to make those around him feel comfortable and welcome.
Terry attended the University of Pennsylvania ROTC and entered the Navy in 1966 and reached the rank of Lieutenant. He sailed in the Middle East on the USS Fiske and commanded the anti-submarine unit. He later learned Vietnamese and trained the Vietnamese Navy in the use of small craft, a skill he learned with the Sea Scouts on the Jersey coast.
Upon return, he happily reunited with Louise and first daughter Cynthia and began working for Chubb & Sons Inc. A second daughter, Karen, soon followed. He worked for Chubb in their New Jersey headquarters for 24 years and took pride in serving as a mentor. He ultimately served as Chubb's Chief Underwriting Officer and executive vice president. He went on to serve as President and Chairman of Risk Management Solutions, based in Menlo Park, CA, President and CEO of Reliance National Insurance Co. in New York City, and Chairman and CEO of Toa Re, in Morristown, NJ. He is widely credited with ushering in the use of computer data-driven analysis for the global insurance and reinsurance industry. His success as an insurance underwriter and executive allowed him to do the things he really loved, which were spending time with his family and puttering around the house.
Terry grew up on a south Jersey farm and loved animals. He loved telling long tales about the (maybe) imaginary exploits of his cats, Snooper and Scooter Phil, whom he taught to say the word "avocado." He is survived by his beloved Maui the Cat, who is rumored to have an MA in Feline French from a prestigious university. He loved watching and playing baseball and at one point taught himself the game of soccer from library books in order to coach his daughter Karen's team. In the 80s, he spent his free time building a full-size harpsichord and played duets with his daughter Cindy. In the 90s, Terry ran the Kitty Knight House Inn & Restaurant on the Eastern Shore of Maryland with his wife Louise. Later in life, Terry and Louise moved back to the Jersey shore and lovingly restored an 18th century home in Cape May County, NJ.
Terry was exceedingly proud of his grandchildren and delighted in hearing about their accomplishments and attending their activities. He understood and cultivated their unique interests and personalities and loved to tell everyone he met about them. Terry leaves a legacy of caring for family. He was a creative and compassionate executive and an excellent son, brother, husband, father, and grandfather. He will be missed. He is survived by his wife and best friend, Louise (Konschak) Van Gilder, his children Cynthia Van Gilder and Karen Van Gilder, and their partners Charlie Wood and Robert Rex, and grandchildren Rebecca Butler (Michael Ferencik), Caitlyn Van Gilder (Noah Kramer), Diana Van Gilder, Henry Van Gilder-Nellis, Orion Rex, and Jacquelyn Van Gilder-Nellis. He is pre-deceased by his parents Leslie and Evelyn Van Gilder and brother Lowell Van Gilder, all of Millville, NJ.
Terry will be buried at Haleyville United Methodist Church in New Jersey in a private ceremony. A celebration of life will follow at a later time. The family suggests donations be made to theJersey Shore Council of the Sea Scouts at https://www.jerseyshorescouts.org/ or to the Cape May County Animal Welfare Society at https://www.cmcanimalwelfaresociety.org/ in his honor. Memories of Terry and condolences for his family may be shared on his tribute wall.

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