Gerald Keil

Gerald (Jerry) William Keil, 91, of Hillside died April 9, 2020. Born and raised in Hillside, he had lived in West Orange for 56 years.

Mr. Keil spent a few years in public accounting with Touche Ross and Company and then spent the majority of his professional career at J.H. Cohen, a top 20 national accounting firm. While at J.H. Cohen, he was a senior partner and led its tax practice before retiring in 1998. He also taught tax accounting at Seton Hall University as an adjunct professor and was a member of the AICPA.

He graduated from Hillside High School and earned his B.S. in accounting from New York University, graduating first in his class. He subsequently earned his J.D. and L.L.M. from New York University Law School.

He spent two years during the Korean War serving as a corporal in the Army.

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Growing up, he had a passion for playing brass instruments and became a distinguished French horn player, attaining all-state status as a high school senior. He was a member of Oheb Shalom Congregation in South Orange for nearly 50 years.

He enjoyed traveling, visiting national parks with his wife and children, and traveling all over the United States and internationally, including Australia, New Zealand, Germany, Israel, and South America.

He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Phyllis (Mand); two sons, David and Robert; daughters-in-law, Suzanne and Victoria; two sisters, Anne Gould and Sue Beck; and four grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at a future date. Memorial contributions may be made to Alzheimer’s Association (act.alz.org).