Leon Gersten Obituary

Our inimitable, life-loving dad, grandfather, brother and uncle died very peacefully on March 22nd at the Hebrew Home in Riverdale, NY.
Born on November, 1, 1928 to Henrietta Henig Gersten and Jacob Israel Gersten of Newark, NJ, Leon attended Weequahic High and went on to have a career as a stage manager for Broadway and television, including Sid Caesar's Your Show of Shows. Family, friends and colleagues mattered most to Leon; he was ever-curious about their life experiences and their connections to one another. He relished staying in touch with people he knew, was an engaging conversationalist and loved sharing vivid memories from the past. Leon loved women and was a committed flirt and optimist. He enjoyed life, knew the lyrics to hundreds of show tunes, and often sang with his daughters with great aplomb.He was predeceased by his older brother Herbert and his first wife, Stephanie Frangos-Gersten. He will be missed by his most loving and devoted daughters, Alexandra Gersten Vassilaros and Kate Gersten-Shire; his second wife, Carole Gersten; his older brother, Bernard; his son-in-law, Matthew Shire; and his five grandsons Tonio, Luka, and Stefano Vassilaros; Jacob and Theodore Shire. In lieu of flowers, call a friend, sing to someone you love or play the overture of Candide.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by New York Times from Mar. 24 to Mar. 25, 2020.

Memories and Condolences
for Leon Gersten

14 Entries

Marc Mechlowicz

September 7, 2025

My late condolences to Leon´s family and friends. My father Sam Mechlowicz stayed at Leon´s father´s house in Newark for a while after barely escaping the holocaust. And I recall visiting occasionally when I was very young. Leon would always call my father periodically, and he came to my bar mitzvah. He got my family tickets to South Pacific and my kids still remember the memorable performance.After my father passed, he would also call me periodically when I moved to LA, and would tell me about his daughters in LA area too. He was kind and always interested in the wellness of my family. Sorry again for your loss, Marc.

Andi Henig

February 25, 2023

What can I say about Leon that hasn't already been said. As my Uncle Mort mentioned they had the same grandparents but were more like brothers. My father died when I was 13 so Leon became more like another uncle to me especially when I moved to NYC to become an actress. I was on his long list of phone calls where we would gossip about the latest shows I was working on and he always had great stories to tell. Three years later and he is still missed greatly.

Amy Stiller

December 21, 2022

This is long long overdue but Leon would vist me and my mom at The Hebrew Home almost every day. He lit up the room and made my mother feel wonderful. She was there for two years recovering from a stroke that she never recovered from... He was a breath of a fresh air. We would chat and he invited me to his 90th birthday. I was honored. "How are you doing Anne!", he would say with his boundless energy. he was in the assisted living area and would drop by. It wouldn't have been the same without our dear Leon. Long Live Leon's spirit. You are loved and missed Mr. Gersten. And cherished by me and I'm sure my mother is with you now to say the same. Thank you for being you dear Leon.

Theresa Hemsley Desilets

April 5, 2021

I am sorry to learn of Leon's passing. I know I am learning of this, after a year has passed. My Mom, Ruth Henig Hemsley, was Leon's first cousin. I met Leon, on a couple occasions, when visiting NYC, with my Mom. He was a wonderful man.

Sherry Mechlowitz Gittleman

February 21, 2021

We are so very sorry to hear of Leon’s passing. He called my daughter, Dani, every so often just to keep in touch and connect the dots on the family tree. He was a cousin of my late father, Ira Mechlowitz along with my late uncles, Harry Gersten and Sam Mechlowicz.
My daughter was very knowledgeable of my father’s history after she decided to take my father’s hand written account as a Holocaust survivor and took it from a pet project to a college research project to publish his eye witness accounts, tying them into the timelines of the historical events known to have happened, which earned her a minor in Jewish Studies at MSU.
So, as one would imagine, connecting the family dots were very enlightening conversations for both Leon and my daughter.
Dani, just phoned Leon realizing she had not heard from him since late February last year and noted his number was forwarded. Becoming concerned she then discovered this obituary.
We are deeply saddened by your loss and feel badly that it has taken us this long to learn of his passing. He was truly a very special man and my daughter will surely miss those delightful conversations that she so enjoyed with your father.
We would like to plant a tree in Israel in his memory. If there is somewhere you would like us to send the tribute please let me know at [email protected].
My Sincerest Condolences,
Sherry (Mechlowitz) Gittleman

Judith Florence Wagner ((

October 2, 2020

Just read about Leons death. So sorry to learn about this. Leon and I dated in the 50s! I’m judy Rydell. [email protected]. My deepest condolences.

Coffee with Leon

Alan Henig

April 29, 2020

Leon was always upbeat, thats what I remember most. He always made sure to stay in contact with my family and I. We would have conversations about his daughters and what they were doing in the entertainment field and he would ask me about the latest in technology that I dealt with. On my first trip to California in the early 1980's, my Father and I stayed with Leon and his family up in the Hollywood hills, I have very fond memories of that trip.Later on when I was working in San Francisco years later, we got together for a fantastic Italian meal in Sausalito. Leon, we will miss you.

John Goodman

April 28, 2020

I loved Leon. What a character! We first met when my dad moved to the Hebrew Home and they became friends. Long after dad died, we'd see and visit with Leon when my father-in-law became a resident there. He always shouted my name and remembered all my brothers and sisters. So ironic that Leon, his brother, and my father-in-law all passed within weeks. I'll always think of Leon and smile. My condolences to the family.

Morton Henig

March 29, 2020

Leon and I grew up together in Newark. Although we lived a few miles apart, we had the same grand parents and my parents and of course I , visited almost every weekend of the year. We were close as kids, as young adults going to the same high school, and as adults well into our later years. When I had business activities in New York, I almost always stayed with Leon and family at his Tribeca apartment. When I moved to the west coast and while he lived near SanFrancisco, we often got together for dinner. I last saw Leon a few years ago when we spent several days doing interesting things in Manhattan. And we spoke to each other almost weekly for as long as I can remember, up until about two weeks before his passing. I must add my agreement to another's comment that he loved the ladies and was a flirt. Must be the Henig genes. I will miss him.

Arnine Weiss

March 28, 2020

Please accept our deepest sympathy on Leon's death. Leon was very special and we will miss his frequent phone calls. May his memory be a blessing! Arnine and Jeff

March 26, 2020

my husband hugh spoke regularly to leon . when hugh died last month w informed him and he was shattered. i called him and left messages and did not hear back. todays obit was a shock. he seemed so alert. so sorry

Jeff Henig

March 26, 2020

Leon was a semi-distant relative who discovered us about ten years ago. He'd regularly call my father (Hugh Henig, who died on Feb. 14th) and often us as well. We visited him at Riverdale. A voice--mostly on the phone--that we will miss.

Robin Barstow

March 26, 2020

Oh Al. This made me cry. It captured him so well! (A flirt and optimist! EXACTLY my experience of him!). But also so moving. He was always very, very good to me as your friend.

Willa

March 24, 2020

Thank you for your light. I was so fortunate to have had your love.

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