Gerard F. Rubin
Funeral Mass:
Saturday
October 28, 2023
11AM
Regis High School
55 E84th St
New York, NY 10028
Private Cremation
Gerard F. Rubin, who worked as an executive at W.R. Grace & Co. before spinning off its Jones Apparel division to create the Jones Apparel Group in 1975, where he was co-owner and President and oversaw its growth and development as the well-known brand Jones New York, died peacefully in New York City on October 24, 2023. He was 91.
Known by family and friends as Jerry or “Ace,” (and, more affectionately – especially by his 11 grandchildren – as “Skipper”), Jerry was born in New York City on June 6, 1932, to Murray Avram Rubin and Katherine Burns Rubin. He and his three brothers were raised in the Flatbush neighborhood of Brooklyn, NY. Jerry graduated from Regis High School in Manhattan, a Roman Catholic Jesuit high school, where he was a standout basketball player, and then studied at St. Peter’s College in Jersey City before being drafted into the Army, where he served in France for two years. Upon returning to the U.S., Jerry enrolled at Spring Hill College in Mobile, AL, also a Jesuit institution, where he majored in accounting, played on the basketball team, and graduated Magna Cum Laude. He began his business career at Montgomery Ward; while working there, he earned an MBA from New York University.
Jerry consistently credited his Jesuit education for instilling in him an undying religious faith, critical thinking skills, strong morals and ethics, and a dedication to service for those less fortunate. His devotion to both Regis High School and Spring Hill College was evident in the sustained fund-raising efforts and other volunteer activities he engaged in on behalf of both institutions throughout his entire life; at Spring Hill, he served on the Board of Directors for twenty-five years, including eleven years as Chairman of the Board, after which he was a Trustee Emeritus. Spring Hill named a dormitory on its campus in honor of Jerry and in 1998 awarded him an honorary Doctor of Laws.
It was while at Spring Hill that Jerry met his first wife, Elizabeth Williams. They were married and had eight children, whom they raised in Deal and Rumson, New Jersey. The marriage ended in divorce.
In 2014, Jerry married his longtime love Kaye Karch, who as a devoted and loving wife helped Jerry remain active and ever-young at heart.
In addition to his work supporting Regis High School and Spring Hill College, Jerry volunteered his time, talent, and skills for many other causes and at many other organizations, including the local Archcare nursing home Mary Manning Walsh, where he attended daily mass in the chapel.
Jerry’s enthusiasm, vigor, love of life, and warm, indomitable spirit were a treasure to all who knew and cherished him. He had a deep affinity and love for the ocean, where he spent many mornings strolling the boardwalk in Long Branch, NJ, and was an avid walker, logging mile after mile on the trails throughout Central Park. His most profound and enduring love, though, always remained his family — love for his wife, his brothers, his children, and his grandchildren. He will be missed dearly.
As a beloved father, husband, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend, he is survived by his wife Kaye Karch, his children Kathleen, Stacy (Nancy McGinley), Elise, Chrissy, Justin (Tara), and Liz (Jacques Joubert), son-in-law Barry Wallach, his 11 grandchildren (Gregory, Emily, Lindsey, Leo, Luca, Elia, Grace, Annabel, Elle, Cole, and Luc), and his brother Jack. He was predeceased by his son Greg and his daughter Carolyn, and by his brothers Ed and Bob, who all undoubtedly welcomed him through the gates of heaven, along with his closest friends.
A mass of Christian burial will be held on Saturday, October 28, 2023, in the chapel at Regis High School, 55 E. 84th Street, New York, NY, with a reception to follow at Bottega Restaurant, 1331 2nd Avenue, New York, NY. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Little City, Attn: Tina Maraccini, 1610 Colonial Parkway, Inverness, IL 60067 or the Pink Promises Fund at the Breast Cancer Research Foundation at BCRF.org.
New Title
IN MEMORY Nestor Benjamin Zapata Passed Jan 15, 2026 Born June 28,1932 Resided Nyc, NY Nestor Benjamin Zapata went home to the Risen Jesus on Jan 15, 2026 at age 93. Nestor was born to Nestor Zapata Sandoval and Anita Vinck on June 28, 1932 in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico. As a Child, He excelled in school, theater and sports. With leading roles in plays at George Washington H.S. IN Washington Heights, NYC. He was also an avid baseball and basketball player. He loved playing golf with his friends. He also was an excellent ice skater that few PR's can do. Nestor met his 1st wife, Connie at a church dance. They married two years later and went on to have four children, Nestor, Michael, Laura and Christina. Also many Grandchildren as well Great-Grandchildren He later met his current wife, Grace and married Nov 5, 1999. They loved going to meetings to celebrate the gift of sobriety. As well as helping many people along the journey. They also enjoyed going to Lincoln Center, Radio City and Broadway. Seeing Hamilton twice! They acquired an incredible taste for NYC Cuisine. In addition to being a dedicated father, Nestor also loved the NY Yankees and NY Giants, also staying active in AA & holding various roles at the church. He also will be remembered for umpiring little league on Roosevelt Island. He held an unwavering faith in God, which He shared with those who surrounded him.
Viewing Thursday December 18th, 2025 9:00 A.M. to 9:30 A.M. Funeral Mass Church of St. Monica 413 East 79th Street New York, NY 10075 Thursday December 18th, 2025 10:00 A.M. Private Cremation In Lieu of Flowers Donate to St. Jude https://www.stjude.org/donate/donate-to-st-jude.html
Donna M. Hamilton, a beloved mother, was born on December 27, 1943 in Kansas City, MO and peacefully passed away in the early evening of October 31, 2025. Donna’s faith guided her outlook to motherhood and to life. Donna grew up throughout the state of Texas. After graduating high school, her family moved to Washington, D. C. She eventually met and later married Vernon Hamilton (1930-2014); they had three children. Donna enjoyed participating in her church's events, embroidery, watching Hallmark movies, and most of all being with her family and friends. She had a beautiful smile and a kind, friendly personality that was noticed by everyone. Donna retired from New York Presbyterian Hospital after working as a Physician’s Assistant for over 35 years. She worked in the ambulatory surgery and plastic surgery departments, but her passion was in plastic surgery. Donna was phenomenal and highly respected in her field and often would be called upon to help the student physicians. Donna is survived by her three children: Scott, Melody, and Todd, an older brother, John Scott, and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Her grandson, Hamilton, who lived nearby, was often at her apartment visiting, going to the store for her when it became too difficult, or trying to keep her spirit up. Donna was loving, kind, charming, and unforgettable. She will be deeply missed by all who knew her and she will continue to inspire us all. Two quotes that our mother always told us (and the grandchildren and great-grandchildren): “treat others the way you wanted to be treated” and “do not compare yourself to others because for always there will be greater and lesser persons than you.”