Obituary of Herbert F. Geller

Herbert F. Geller, 102, of North Salem, NY formerly of Bronx, New York, passed away Thursday, February 29th, 2024 at his home.

Herb was born on December 9th, 1921 in Bronx, NY to the late Samuel and May Geller. A first-generation Jewish American, Herb joined the Signal Corps and the Committee to Defend America by Aiding the Allies. When Pearl Harbor was attacked, he enlisted in the U.S. Army. He went on to train as a radio repairman at Camp Crowder in Missouri and then was assigned to the new Army Air Corps and deployed to England. After the war ended, he manned a radio tower in ally-occupied Germany. He rose to the rank of Corporal and was honorably discharged in 1946. After World War II, he studied journalism at Long Island University in Brooklyn and the University of Wisconsin-Madison, thanks to the G.I Bill.  

After graduating with his Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism, he met Gloria (née Feldman) Geller and they got married on October 7th, 1956. He moved to Mt. Kisco, New York and worked at the Patent Trader. He later became a writer and editor for the Bridgeport Post. For his series on the bicentennial, he was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize. He was also a playwright and wrote the musical “Who Built the World” about the struggles of Irish immigrants. 

A leader of the North Salem American Legion, Herb was heavily involved in local politics in Westchester County throughout his life, later becoming the head of the Westchester Democratic Committee for many years. He was deeply devoted to the Democratic Party and campaigned for numerous progressive causes and candidates. Herb was also a committed neighbor and was President of his neighborhood’s Candlewood Lake Association for over 20 years. A committed veteran, he led the Memorial Day Parade for North Salem for over 30 years.

Gregarious, outspoken, fun-loving and adventurous, Herb made friends easily and they remained loyal throughout his life. However, his greatest joy was his late wife Gloria and their three daughters, JeriAnn, Sharon, and Nisa. Herb is survived by his daughters, his sons-in-law Dr. William Zinn and Jeffrey Tannenbaum, his grandchildren Ariel, Grant, Benji, Isabella, Oriana, Joseph and Samuel, his grandson-in-law Ben Starkweather, and his great-grandson, Gabriel Starkweather. He was predeceased by his wife Gloria and his sister, Erna Beth Drucker. He also leaves eight nieces and nephews, eight great-nieces and nephews, and his beloved caretakers Minerva Rodriguez and Dora, Flory, and Margarita Morales.

A graveside ceremony honoring his life will be held at 11:30 AM on Sunday March 3rd at Sharon Gardens, Kensico Cemetery, 273 Lakeview Avenue, Valhalla, NY 10585. A Shiva and celebration of his life will be held at his home, 2 Stephen Road, North Salem, NY 10560 from 1:00 - 7:00 PM following the graveside ceremony.

Donations in his memory may be made to the Community Center of Northern Westchester, which is committed to reducing hunger and providing resources for local communities.  Click here to donate