File Photo/Margate Mayor Michael Becker, right, honors former OEM Coordinator Jerry Greenberg and his wife Myra for their dedication to the city.
By NANETTE LoBIONDO GALLOWAY
MARGATE - Former Margate Emergency Management Coordinator Jerry Greenberg died this week. To me, he is most remembered for his good natured spirit and nearly comedic presentations on how to be prepared for an emergency evacuation should a storm or weather event hit the shores of his beloved Margate.
Like a magician pulling rabbits out of his hat, Jerry had a way of educating residents at meetings called to ensure their survivability about how to be ready in the event of an evacuation. During several Emergency Management public education sessions held in Downbeach communities toward the end of his career, Jerry's contribution to discussions from local county and utility company professionals would be to encourage residents to be prepared. And he had an effective, funny way of doing it.
He would open his small duffle Go Bag - ever at the ready in a closet close to the front door and pull out everything you would need to survive for three days if you're lucky in a hotel room or shelter away from your evacuated home. His presentation would last for at least 20 minutes leaving spectators wondering what else he could pull out of his hat, oops, I mean bag. First came a rain jacket, then a complete change of clothing, several sets of underwear and socks all kept tightly folded in plastic bags with the air removed to keep them dry. Then would come personal care items, snacks, food, a can opener, eating utensils, bottles of water, a completely stocked first aid kit, pencil, pen and paper, trash bags, medications, pet care supplies and food, copies of prescriptions and most importantly, a list of family contacts. Practically everything but the kitchen sink.
Others have tried to replicate his "Go Bag" presentation, but they fall short of Jerry's entertaining, yet educational shtick.
According to his obituary, which is published below, he was instrumental in seeing Margate though Hurricane Sandy, but that was before I knew him. As a member of the media, I called him several times over the years to ask the status of the city during nor'easters and winter storms. He was always available and spoke with a reassuring tone indicating, "All is well in Margate."
OBITUARY
Jerome Jerry Greenberg, age 88 of Margate, died, surrounded by his family, on Jan. 23, 2022. His parents were Louis and Edith Greenberg of Atlantic City. He was born March 17, 1933, grew up in Atlantic City, and graduated from Atlantic City High School in 1951. After graduating from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania in 1955, where he was an avid rock climber, spelunker, and outdoorsman, he served 2 years in the U.S. Army in Lincoln, MA.
He joined the family insurance agency, Louis Greenberg, Inc. and was an insurance agent for more than 40 years. In 1960, he earned his Chartered Life Underwriter designation. He was president of the Atlantic County Association of Independent Insurance Agents and president of the Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of New Jersey in 1973-1974. He also served on several National committees.
Beginning in 1987, he was appointed the Emergency Management Coordinator for Margate and served until 2019. A pragmatic, outside-the-box thinker, his emergency plan helped Margate survive Superstorm Sandy, resulting in Margate's being the first seaside town ready to reopen.
Jerry was a Past Master of Keystone-Belcher Lodge #153 F&AM. He was a member of Trinity-Justice Lodge #285 and served as a trustee of the Justice Lodge Scholarship Foundation. He was an honorary member of Atlantic Lodge 221. Jerry also served as Senior Grand Steward of the Grand Lodge of Masons for the State of New Jersey. He was a member of Excelsior Consistory and Crescent Shrine Temple. He was a past president of Ye Olde Tymers Club of Atlantic City and chaired the Student Assistance Committee. He was instrumental in transferring the funds to Stockton University to create the Ye Olde Tymers Scholarship Fund of Stockton. He was a Trustee of the Beth Kehillah Cemetery Association and served as president beginning in 1989, spending most Wednesdays going to the cemetery to ensure it was operating properly.
His amateur radio call sign was W2ZMU. He had been a Boy Scout and Explorer Scout leader, and served on the board of both Margate Terrace and Shalom House, where he was treasurer of the Shalom House Development Corporation. He chaired the local alumni committee of the University of Pennsylvania, coordinating the interviews of perspective students. He loved piloting the Sam Ting, and not catching fish with his friend Marty Ross.
Jerry is survived by his loving and devoted wife Myra (nee Bernstein) of 61 years. They lived in Margate from the time they were married. They enjoyed traveling to five continents and numerous countries, where his sense of adventure and keen observation always enhanced the trips. He is also survived by his sons Paul (Ellen) and Dan (Jennifer), and was ever proud of his grandchildren, Susan, Amy and Sam.
Contributions in Jerry's memory may be made to the charity of one's choice.
https://www.downbeach.com/2018/08/22/hurricane-preparedness-meeting-shares-life-saving-information/
https://www.downbeach.com/2019/09/07/ye-olde-tymers-club-of-ac-donates-assets-for-stockton-scholarship-fund/
https://www.downbeach.com/2019/08/16/margate-honors-outgoing-oem-coordinator-and-his-wife/
