GERALD LOEHR Obituary
LOEHR–Hon. Gerald E. The Hon. Gerald E. Loehr was born into a Yonkers family with a longstanding tradition of politics and public service on May 19, 1943. His great- grandfather, John J. Loehr, was a Yonkers Alderman (Councilman), his grandfather, Joseph F. Loehr, was the Mayor of Yonkers from 1932 to 1939, his mother Gertrude Sweetman was a civil servant and his father John F. Loehr was an attorney and an Administrative Law Judge. Gerald E. Loehr proudly followed the family tradition and served with passion, principle and distinction as a public servant.
He graduated from Manhattan College in 1965 and Fordham Law School in 1969. He served as a New York City Assistant District Attorney under the legendary Frank Hogan from 1969 to 1973, and then in private practice at the firm of Nobile and Magarian from 1973-1975. Loehr returned to public service in Yonkers, serving two terms as the Third Ward Councilman from 1975-1979 and one term as the Mayor from 1979-1981.
Upon leaving the Mayor’s office, Loehr returned to private practice as a founding partner of the law firm Ecker, Loehr, & Ecker, LLP where he worked until 2004. In 2005, he was elected as Judge in the Westchester County Court. In 2006, he was appointed as an Acting State Supreme Court Justice. In 2012, he was elected to serve as a Supreme Court Justice in the 9th Judicial District.
Gerry was an avid sailor, was a licensed New York State Coast Guard Captain, and raced sailboats out of Huguenot Yacht Club, where he served as Commodore and longtime Club Counsel, ultimately becoming the club’s most senior member with 54 years of active membership. His greatest sailing achievements included sailing to Bermuda in 1989, and crossing the Atlantic in 2020.
Loehr was a devoted husband and father and is survived by his beloved wife Susan Newman Loehr, a retired Westchester County Commissioner of Jurors. He is also survived by his older brother John Loehr and six children from two marriages: Peter, Janine (Barbanell), Melissa, Jonathan (Newman), Cariana (Bulman) and Gerald E. II. He also leaves behind 15 grandchildren, who will miss him dearly. His memorial service will take place on November 16, 2024 at 1:30pm at Sacred Heart Church, 110 Shonnard Pl., Yonkers, NY.
Mayor Mike Spano said “I want to express my heartfelt condolences to the Loehr family on the passing of former Mayor Gerald Loehr, the 35th Mayor of this City. Mayor Loehr came from a long line of dedicated public servants – his grandfather Joseph Loehr served as the 25th Mayor of Yonkers and his great-great grandfather was a member of the City’s Common Council in the early 20th century.
“A graduate of Gorton High School and former City Council member, who represented Northwest Yonkers, Mayor Loehr was instrumental in televising public meetings during the early days of Yonkers City Hall TV. He was also recognized for overhauling the Community Development Agency. Mayor Loehr will always be a part of this City’s history. Thank you for your commitment to Yonkers, rest in peace.”
