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Marshall Gelfand Obituary
Three generations said a loving goodbye to Marshall Morris Gelfand, who passed today at 93 years old. Marshall is survived by his children, Todd Evan Gelfand (Doreen), Elizabeth Gelfand Stearns (Richard) and Dean Loring Gelfand (Marcie), along with 8 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren
Marshall M Gelfand was born on December 14, 1927 in Claremont, New Hampshire. Marshall graduated from Stevens High School in Claremont in 1945. He was the editor of the Stevens High School yearbook, played Varsity basketball, and was awarded the DAR History award.
Marshall graduated from Syracuse University in 1950, with a degree in accounting from the Whitman School of Management. He was welcomed into the 25-man pledge class of Sigma Alpha Mu fraternity. In 1983, Marshall was appointed to Syracuse University Board of Trustees, and remains a Trustee Emeritus. Marshall's lifetime of leadership of the Sigma Alpha Mu Eta Chapter is memorialized by the dedication of the fraternity house in his name on the Syracuse campus.
Marshall served his country in 1946 as an enlisted Naval Correspondent and again during the Korean War in 1951, serving 20 months at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
Marshall graduated from New York University School of Law in 1956 and became a member of the New York Bar Association in 1958.
Marshall became the accountant and business manager for Peter Paul & Mary, Bob Dylan and
Neil Diamond in 1966. These clients launched a direction that changed his career and the industry he helped build.
In 1967, Marshall opened his own accounting firm, which over the next 55 years grew into the largest international business management firm in the entertainment industry,
Gelfand Rennert & Feldman, LLC.
Marshall married Judy Jaffe in 1955 at the Pierre Hotel in New York City. They lived in Forest Hills and Great Neck, New York, followed by a move to Palm Springs, California in 1973 where they raised their three children.
Marshall and Judy were both philanthropic leaders in Palm Springs. Marshall served as president of the Palm Springs Art Museum, The Barbara Sinatra Children's Center and Temple Isaiah. Their philanthropic work is permanently honored with their own star on the Palm Springs Walk of Stars.
Marshall established The Judy Fund in 2004 in memory of his wife, Judy, who died of Alzheimer's disease. The Judy Fund is the largest family fund in the history of the Alzheimer's Association, and has raised over $9 million in support of Alzheimer's research and care.
After Judy's passing, Marshall met and married Jacqueline Rudman, and they spent 12 wonderful years together in Rancho Mirage, California.
Marshall was buried alongside Judy in a private family ceremony at Wiefels & Son Mortuary in Palm Springs, California. On a future date, there will be a Celebration of a Life Well Lived.
Pickles with Papa will continue, every Sunday, in his memory.
Donations can be made in Marshall's memory to The Judy Fund at the Alzheimer's Association
● On-line: www.alz.org/judyfund
● By mail: The Judy Fund
Alzheimer's Association
225 North Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL 60601
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Marshall Gelfand
Tom Catalano
April 15, 2022
Goodbye Marshall. Perhaps we'll meet on the long journey.
Peace, brother.
Tom
Pat Kaplan
April 15, 2021
Marshall was a mentor to both Edie Keller and myself. Working with Marshall and Elizabeth was a joy and the true meaning of philanthropy and making a difference appeared before our eyes. I feel privileged to have known Marshall and I continue to carry on the work of assisting family caregivers.
My thoughts and prayers are with his family.
Elise Colson
April 14, 2021
I had the good fortune to meet Marshall Gelfand and his beautiful wife Judy in Palm Springs - now more than thirty years ago. They were strong supporters of the community, giving of their time, talents and resources for everything from the Palm Springs Desert/Art Museum to Hadassah, Tiempo de los Ninos and Desert Regional Medical Center, the Frank Sinatra Celebrity Golf Invitational and the Barbara Sinatra Children's Center. Later in life, just a few years ago, I had the good fortune to be hired by Mr. Gelfand to assist Mrs. Sinatra for her winter season in residence in Palm Springs. What a wonderful man - a true gentleman, clear and measured in his words, compassionate and caring in his practices. He will be missed by so many. My heart goes out to his family, friends, associates and clients. We have all benefitted from knowing him. His was a life well-lived and will continue to serve as a beautiful example of what we can all aspire to be.
sarah drake
April 14, 2021
i had the great privilege of knowing marshall when i worked for warner records in the 70s-80s. he was a peer of our chairman, mo ostin, definitely not me. but , he did call me once to thank me for a referral. and i was thrilled beyond measure. that was kind of man he was. he was then and now, as respected and liked and admired as anyone in entertainment, in any business. a man of sterling character, which he practiced across his professional and personal life. later, he was helpful to me in my quest to work in the desert. i never had opportunity to meet his wife, the wonderful judy, but her contributions to this world were significant and lasting. may they now rest in peace for eternity. with so much gratitude for life of this truly great man.
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Sarah Drake
April 14, 2021
i had the great privilege of knowing marshall when i worked for warner records in the 70s-80s. he was a peer of our chairman, mo ostin, definitely not me. but , he did call me once to thank me for a referral. and i was thrilled beyond measure. that was kind of man he was. he was then and now, as respected and liked and admired as anyone in entertainment, in any business. a man of sterling character, which he practiced across his professional and personal life. later, he was helpful to me in my quest to work in the desert. i never had opportunity to meet his wife, the wonderful judy, but her contributions to this world were significant and lasting. may they now rest in peace for eternity. with so much gratitude for life of this truly great man.
Scott Michael Bloom
April 11, 2021
As a teenager at Syracuse University, I was lucky enough to meet Marshall Gelfand (and others at Sigma Alpha Mu). Many great boys and men, but Marshall was the greatest. Why?...because he taught all of us the power and meaning of Service to others. He did so by actions, as well as his words. Many of us will readily acknowledge that he was the first and perhaps top man to emulate in our lives. Long live EAM, and the memories of Marshall Gelfand.
edward moss
April 11, 2021
It is with great sadness to write about the loss of such a great strong,
kind friend I had for many decades, Marshall.
Our condolences to Todd Elizabeth Dean and their families. Their tremendous loss of their father who had great love and concern for them and their families.
I was probably one of many friends who felt the Gelfand bond of friendship given generously by Marshall and Judy.
Being twenty years younger than Marshall, I was a young friend who turned to him for assistance. I spoke to Marshall about five years ago to let him know that the teenager he helped with math homework, Judy tutored me in English, suggested I enroll in Syracuse, wrote me a letter that he was out of town and could not attend my medical school graduation and I had joined the faculty of Weill Cornell Medicine.
I and my wife, Gwen, had the honor of meeting his parents, attending many of his children's religious milestones and weddings. We also were the baby sitters when July and Marshall went out Saturday night with friends in Forest Hills and I was Dean's God father and Ella was the God mother.
Marshall was serious but had a sense of humor. He was friendly but also respectful when he met my parents. He was a loving caring son in law to Gertrude and Harry.
As a young doctor, Marshall was our accountant, did our taxes and financial planning.
I and Gwen will miss him....he represented all that was good in a person,
an example that working hard, being honest, sincere and caring gives the greatest rewards in life. Our lives were made more complete by Marshall.
Gwen and Edward Moss
Alan waldbaum
April 10, 2021
I met Marshall at a job interview we both was fresh out of college after taking to I thought I had no chance but we both got the job he was a hard worker he set high standards
John Thoresen
April 9, 2021
Marshall was the most committed and loyal friend to Barbara Sinatra and the Children's Center. He was a mentor to me and I will miss our chats about how things are going. Marshall was a wonderful human being who will be missed by all. Our condolences to his wonderful and loving family.
John Thoresen, Barbara Sinatra Children's Center.
ALLAN D. SUTTON
April 8, 2021
I KNOW THAT I SPEAK FOR MANY OF THE " SAMMIES " WHEN I SAY
THAT THERE IS NO WAY TO CALCULATE THE POSITIVE INFLUENCE
THAT MARSHALL HAD ON US. WE'LL MISS HIM .
ALLAN D. SUTTON
Amy Weinreb
April 7, 2021
Marshall and Judy were so much a part of my youth that in a way I considered myself a part of their extended family. They graciously included me along with a number of Elizabeth’s other close friends in family vacations, creating magical adventures and memories along the way. What I didn’t know until a couple of years ago was that in-spite of how busy he was, Marshall played a key role in planning those trips. A greater, sweeter, more humble man there never was. I was fortunate enough to see Marshall a couple of years ago and share pickles with Papa along with the family. A memory I will cherish along with the others that helped to shape me. Rest well Marshall along with your beloved Judy. ❤
Ivy Ozer
April 7, 2021
I will greatly miss “Uncle Marshall” as I always thought of him. He was a kind and wonderful man, a great member of our extended family. My condolences to Todd, Liz, Dean and their whole families. With love, cousin Ivy
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