Wagner Mourns Passing of Jerome Berg

Wagner College lost a dear friend on July 21, with the passing of Jerome Berg. A longstanding member of the Staten Island and greater New York communities, Berg was a frequent participant in the life of Wagner College as a member of its Chai and DaVinci Societies, and as a benefactor of the school’s Hugh L. Carey Center for Government Reform.

"Jerome Berg was a special friend of Wagner College," said President Richard Guarasci. "He was one of the founding donors of the College's Hugh L. Carey Center for Government Reform, a major initiative that he was most interested in that is intended to provide non partisan proposals for the reform of N.Y. and other state governments centered around issues of efficiency, transparency and budgeting. At the time of his passing, he was even working with us to create an advisory board for the Center."

"To me, Jerry Berg was a dear personal friend, wise adviser and strategic thinker who placed a premium on high achievement and philanthropy," said Guarasci.

Those who wish to make a gift to Wagner in memory of Jerome Berg, in support of the Carey Center for Government Reform, may send it to the Office of Institutional Advancement, Reynolds House, 1 Campus Road, Staten Island, N.Y., 10301.

Following are local news reports on Wagner’s friend, Jerome Berg:

JEROME S. BERG
Businessman was a CUNY trustee
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Staten Island Advance

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Todt Hill resident Jerome S. Berg was noted for his support of CUNY, his business acumen and his charitable works. He was also known to many as a good friend, the kind who could be counted on for just about anything.

Mr. Berg, a former CUNY trustee, business leader and developer, died this week.

A 1949 graduate of Baruch College, he served on the CUNY board from 1994 to 1997.

A developer, Mr. Berg built several medical and dental offices around the borough and was a partner in the firm that developed the Kmart shopping center in New Springville.

He got his start in the business world when he began designing home lighting systems and selling lamps with his brother in 1954 in a small shop on Castleton Avenue in West Brighton. Their Eastern Coast Lighting and Electrical Supply Co., which later relocated to Dongan Hills, became one of the major designers of lighting systems in the metropolitan area.

In 1972, the brothers beat out 20 competitors and were selected as the electrical contractors on the remaking of Yankee Stadium. The company was sold in 1986.

Over the years, Mr. Berg served as the president of United Way and the Staten Island Community Chest and Council, and vice president of the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce. He was a member of the board of the Visiting Nurses Association, the YMCA and the Staten Island Institute of Arts and Sciences.

Funeral arrangements, which included burial yesterday in United Hebrew Cemetery, Richmond, were handled by the Menorah Chapels, New Springville.

From the New York Times:

The Baruch College community and the Trustees of the Baruch College Fund are saddened to learn of the passing of Jerome S. Berg, class of 1949. A lawyer who was also the president and owner of JahJah Realty, Jerry was a Staten Island resident and successful real estate developer. He was an active participant in the renaissance of The City University of New York, serving as a CUNY Trustee from 1994 to 1997. A Fellow of the Baruch College Fund since 2001, Jerry took great pride in his alma mater and was a generous and unflagging supporter and dear friend. His clear-eyed vision and commitment to Baruch College never wavered. We extend our deepest sympathy to his family, most especially to his wife Helene, his children and grandchildren. Kathleen Waldron, President, Baruch College; Larry Simon '65, President The Baruch College Fund.
Published in the New York Times on 7/23/2008

The City University of New York mourns the loss of our esteemed former Trustee and Baruch College alumnus Jerome S. Berg, who served with great distinction as chairman of the Board of Trustees Committee on Academic Policy, Program and Research, and as member of numerous other important Board committees, and whose expertise in construction and maintenance of facilities generously informed the University's capital programs. His exemplary service will be long remembered. We offer our deepest sympathies to his family. Benno C. Schmidt Jr., Chair, Trustee Kathleen M. Pesile, Trustee Rita DiMartino, Matthew Goldstein Chancellor
Published in the New York Times on 7/23/2008