Gerald E. Dunn

Dunn, Gerald E.
EAST GREENBUSH - Gerald E. Dunn, age 95, formerly of East Greenbush, died peacefully at Eddy Memorial Geriatric Center in Troy on July 23, 2023.
Born in Newark Valley, N.Y., he was the son of the late Ernest G. Dunn and Anna M. (Tholen) Dunn. He was also predeceased by his brother, James William Dunn, in 2005; his grandson, Matthew Russell, in 2018; and his wife, Shirley Wiltse Dunn, in 2022, who he married in 1950.
Mr. Dunn graduated from Newark Valley Central School in 1945 and from New York State College for Teachers in Albany with a Bachelor of Arts in 1951. He received a Master of Public Administration from Syracuse University in 1952. He also attended Johns Hopkins University from 1952 to 1955. He served in the U.S. Army from late 1945 through 1946.
He is survived by his children, Geoffrey (Laura) Dunn of East Greenbush, Janet (Patrick) Russell of Boulder Creek, Calif., James (June) Dunn of Trumansburg, N.Y., and Barbara (John) Oswalt of Herndon, Va. Also surviving him are eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren; his brother-in-law, Oscar J. (Patricia) Wiltse of Flowery Branch, Ga.; his sister-in-law, Helen Wiltse of Gainesville, Ga., and several cousins, nieces and nephews.
He began his career with New York State in July 1955 as a public administration intern in the Division of the Budget where he held increasingly responsible positions for ten years. In 1966 he and his family lived in Caracas, Venezuela, where he advised its budget staff on budget management issues under a program sponsored by the United Nations. Following his return, he held various positions in three different New York State agencies: administrative director from 1967-1970 in the Office of General Services; executive deputy industrial commissioner from 1971-1974, and later director of Unemployment Insurance from 1982-1986 in the Department of Labor; and deputy commissioner for Administration from 1975-1977 in the Department of Mental Hygiene. He retired in early 1987 after almost 32 years of State service.
Mr. Dunn also was active in his community, his church, and various civic and professional organizations. He was a member of the East Greenbush School Board for eight and one-half years between 1962 and 1972; the East Greenbush Community Library Association Board from 1972 to 1984; and the Alumni Association of the State University of New York at Albany from 1978 to 1985 (including president from 1981 to 1983). He also was an active member and president of the American Society for Public Administration, as well as of the State Academy for Public Administration. A member of the First United Methodist Church of East Greenbush for over 60 years, he served several terms as a member and treasurer of its Board of Trustees, as well as serving as chairman of the Administrative Council. As chairman of the church's Finance Committee, he also led the annual budget campaign for several years. He was a former life member of the University Club and was a member of Pinehaven Country Club for more than 28 years. He also was a long-term member of the Two X Fore Golf Association, for which he served for ten years as the secretary and treasurer.
One of Jerry's proudest associations was with the Thursday Golf group, which he organized in 1970 with eight men and which through 2016 and 23 different players continued to play some 73 different golf courses with spirit, if not with the skill and intensity of earlier years. Aside from the play of golf, deep and lasting friendships were formed through its social activities.
The family express their deep gratitude to the staff at Eddy Memorial Geriatric Center for the care tendered to Gerald, and previously to his wife Shirley. Their skill and compassion is much appreciated.
Calling hours are on Monday, July 31, from 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m., at the First United Methodist Church of East Greenbush, 1 Gilligan Rd, East Greenbush. A funeral service will follow at 1 p.m. Interment will be in the East Greenbush Cemetery. Family and friends are invited back to the church for light refreshments after the burial.
For those wishing to make a memorial contribution, some of Gerald's preferred charities were the First United Methodist Church of East Greenbush, 1 Gilligan Road, East Greenbush, NY, 12061 or at https://fumceg.org; Doctors Without Borders, P.O. Box 5022, Hagerstown, MD, 21741-5022 or at https://www.doctorswithoutborders.org; and Hudson Riverkeeper, 20 Secor Road, Ossining, NY, 10562 or at https://www.riverkeeper.org/get-involved/donate.