GERALD T. HERSHCOPF

HERSHCOPF--Gerald Thea. Devoted husband, father and grandfather died peacefully after a very brief illness on September 8 at age 92. A mentor to many younger lawyers, he retired from practice in 2006. Following graduation from Columbia University in 1943, he served as a medic during the liberation of France, Belgium, Holland and Germany. He remained in France after VE day to study at the Sorbonne, earning a certificate in French Civilization, and retained a life-long love of the country; its culture and language and its food and wines. Upon his return, he attended Harvard Law School on the GI Bill, graduating with a JD in 1949. He practiced with Marshall, Bratter, Seligson & Klein before striking out on his own as a partner in several firms including: Starr & Hershcopf; Hershcopf, Stevenson, Tannenbaum, San Filippo, Donovan & Korn; and Eisen, Hershcopf & Schulman. Throughout a successful career, his focus was always on his family. He was home for dinner nearly every night. He served as the Chairman of the North American Planning Corp. and was president of the Consortium of Metropolitan Law Schools. From 1997-98 he served on the board of the New York division of the American Cancer Society. In 1950, he married the former Elaine Yeckes, the love of his life a marriage that lasted 57 years until her death in 2009. The couple loved to travel to France, particularly Paris. In 2000, to celebrate their 50th anniversary, they shared Paris with their daughter, son-in-law and grandson. A charming, intellectually curious and handsome man; he was well respected in his field and cherished as an especially steadfast friend. He was also an avid golfer and tennis player who read this paper every day until his death. Fellow members of the Harvard Club, the New York Athletic Club, Doubles and Central Synagogue will remember watching him share jokes with family and friends at dinner. He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Jane and Don Schreck, his grandson, Sam Schreck, his sister, Judith Banki and his niece, Susan Banki. Services will be held on Wednesday, September 10, at 1pm, Plaza Jewish Community Chapel 630 Amsterdam Ave. Donations can be made in his name to the American Cancer Society.