Lawrence J. Gonzer

Lawrence J. Gonzer, 83, of Short Hills died Dec. 19, 2010. He was born in Newark to David and Anna Bergman Gonzer and lived in Livingston for 24 years before moving to Short Hills in 1979.

Since 1961, Mr. Gonzer was the president/CEO of L.J. Gonzer Associates, which was involved in temporary staffing and technical services, and was originally in Newark before being relocated to Cranford.

He was a cofounder of the National Technical Services Association, representing 100-plus staffing and technical members, and served as chapter president of the Metro New York chapter.

He received a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Cornell University, served for six years as a board member of the Federation of Cornell Clubs, was past president of the Cornell Club of Essex County and Northern New Jersey, and was a sponsor of scholarships.

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He served in the U.S. Army as a staff sergeant from 1945 to 1947.

Other affiliations include seven years of service as vice president and trustee of Temple Emanu-El of West Essex in Livingston, six years as a member of the board of directors of the Greater Newark Chamber of Commerce, and past member of the boards of directors of United Jewish Communities of MetroWest NJ, Daughters of Israel, and the Jewish Historical Society of MetroWest. He was a member of the Jewish Community Foundation of MetroWest’s Lester Society, was a major donor-level giver for more than 10 years, and was a professional advisory committee member of the JCF. He spent six years on the membership committee of the Green Brook Country Club, was a worshipful master of the Columbia Lodge F&AM, and served as Scoutmaster of Troop 95 in Hillside.

“I knew Larry through his philanthropy,” said Max Kleinman, executive vice president of UJC MetroWest NJ. “He was a stalwart supporter of UJA for many decades…. He was proud of his alma mater, Cornell, and loved his shul, Temple Emanu-El. I’m pleased to have known him and had the pleasure of spending the afternoon with him only three weeks ago. Larry’s accomplishments and good deeds are a testament to his life.”

“One of the reasons for Larry’s success as a human being was his love of life,” said Floyd Shapiro, a past president of the JCF of MetroWest, at his funeral. “He had a sense of fairness and righteousness, and he was willing to fight for his causes.”

Predeceased by his wife, Helene M., he is survived by a son, Marc R.; a daughter, Kate C.; and a brother, Robert, and his wife, Georgianna.

Services were held Dec. 21 with arrangements by Bernheim-Apter-Kreitzman Suburban Funeral Chapel, Livingston.