EUGENE ZURIFF

1939 - 2022

ZURIFF--Eugene Isaac "Gene". Gene defined the meaning of a loyal and true friend. His smile lit up every room with the warmest of greetings. His repertoire of the best side- splitting, humorous stories evoked tears of laughter no matter how many times you heard them. His love of golf was only surpassed by everyone who wanted to take a walk with Gene--always unequalled and joyful. There was no greater reviewer of non-fiction--he was the go-to guy for the best reads and his sensibility in business decisions earned the respect of all those who sought his advice--Gene was always available for family and friends no matter what time of day or the depth of need. Gene was born April 16, 1939 to Rhoda Keeperman and Jack Zuriff in Brooklyn, New York. He grew up in Rye, New York and was among the first recipients of the Reinach-Turnesa Caddie Scholarship to New York University and N.Y.U. School of Law. The breadth of his business acumen reflected his journey from corporate law to his role as Executive Vice President and Director of Century Business Credit, to a founding Director of Commercial Bank. Later in life Gene reconnected with a longtime friend, Alan Stillman, to join the Smith and Wollensky Restaurant Group becoming a Director and ultimately its President. He served as a Director of One Liberty Properties and Doral Savings Bank. His board affiliations were wide-ranging driven by his passion for social justice and equality. He was a Trustee and Chair of the New York Healthcare Chaplaincy, a National Trustee of "I Have A Dream" Foundation; a member of the Selection Panelists' Committee for The White House Fellowship Program spanning the Clinton and Bush administrations. Gene's journey ended on November 10, 2022 with dignity and grace surrounded by his wife of 24 years, Sherry Jacobson, and with those who loved him most at his home in Bridgehampton, New York. His legacy will continue in the memories and experiences he shared with so many throughout the world. He is survived by his wife, Sherry, his sons Laurence (Beth, Sophie, Jason) and Bryan (Monica, Alexa, Maxine, Jordana, Jasper) and his stepchildren Alyssa Weiss (Milli, Julien) and Edward Weiss (Jamie). Charitable contributions in Gene's memory may be sent to: The Conservative Synagogue of the Hamptons; LBDA.org (Lewy Body Dementia Association); The Michael J. Fox Foundation. Details for a celebration of Gene's life will be announced for early December.