Gerard Martin Phelan
05/12/1962 - 08/13/2019

Gerard Martin Phelan, 57, died at home this past weekend. Relatives and friends are invited to celebrate Gerard’s life at the Visitation at Bradley and Sons Funeral Home from 4:30 to 7:30 on Friday, August 16. The Funeral Mass will be offered at St. Patrick’s Church, Chatham, on Saturday, August 17 at 10:00 AM, and the burial will follow at St. Gertrude Cemetery, Colonia.

Gerard was born in Huntington, NY on May 12, 1962, and moved with his parents and six older siblings to Clark, NJ in August 1964. He attended St. Agnes elementary school, graduating in 1976, and, during those years, served as a faithful altar boy at St. Agnes Church. His Catholic faith was important to him, especially in the last years of his life. Gerard earned a scholarship to Regis High School in New York City and commuted every day for four years (1976-80), with an important assist from his mother, who would drop him off for the early train at Rahway station and pick him up there at the end of his often long days. A member of the Regis basketball team, Gerard thought of himself as a point guard trapped insider a center’s tall body. Gerard continued his basketball career at Haverford College, where he also did a course of study that prepared him for his career working in the New York City financial district.   For the first half of that career, he worked at Alex Brown and then Bear Stearns. In 2003, motivated by a desire to help their recovery from the losses sustained in the 9/11 attacks, Gerard joined Cantor Fitzgerald, where he remained until his death.

In 1992 Gerard married Julia Schwartz, and they had two children: Jordan Martin Phelan, born April 15, 1995, and Madeleine Blaine Phelan, born January 16, 1997.

At age twelve, Gerard was hit hard by the sudden death of his father, an event that made him value family throughout his life. He was always grateful to his parents for their love and the gifts of time, education, and teamwork that they shared with him. He always took pleasure in the company and achievements of his six siblings, Joe, Jim, Mary Ellen, Betsy, Terry, and Peggy, and their children. He loved his children deeply and was incredibly proud of them.

After his playing days, he became an avid fan of high school basketball, especially the teams coached by his lifelong friend Kevin Boyle. Gerard’s special blend of knowledge and imagination led him to many predictions about sports, politics, the economy, and many other things – some more plausible than others!

Gerard is survived by his two children and his six siblings and their children.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the NYU Langone Medical Center <https://nyulangone.org/give/>


Funeral Home:
Wm. A. Bradley & Son Funeral Home
Visitation Hours:
Friday, August 16, 2019. 4:30 pm to 7:30 pm.
Funeral:
Saturday, August 17, 2019, 10 am. St. Patrick's Church, 85 Washington Ave. Chatham, NJ
Committal:
St. Gertrude's Cemetery, Colonia, NJ
Memorial Gifts:
NYU Langone Medical Center (nyulangone.org/give/ or 150 55th St. Brooklyn, NY 11220
Bradley Funeral Homes
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