Jon F. Gerry ’50

Jack Gerry died at his home in Moorestown, N.J., Mar. 10, 1995, less than six months after retiring from a distinguished career as a Federal judge in New Jersey.

Appointed a U.S. District Court judge by President Ford in 1974, he became chief judge in 1987, and in 1992, also became chairman of the Judicial Conference in the U.S., considered the second most powerful position in the Federal judiciary, behind only the Supreme Court Chief Justice.

Born and raised in Mt. Holly, N.J., Jack was a 1944 graduate of its high school, where he was student body president. He enlisted in the Army Air Corps the first day he was eligible, and served in the Pacific Theater.

At Princeton, Jack was elected president of Key & Seal Club and was graduated magna cum laude in politics. With many others from the class, he went on to Harvard Law. After a practice of 19 years, primarily in trial work, he was appointed first to the Camden County bench, a year later the New Jersey Superior Court, and shortly thereafter, to the Federal bench.

Jack is survived by his widow, Jean, who met him in the fourth grade in Mt. Holly; by his three daughters, Patricia, Kathleen, and Ellen; and by four grandchildren. To each of them, the class extends its deepest sympathy.