Gerald “Jerry” L. Kaplan
February 10, 1936 – July 31, 2022
Fort Montgomery, NY
Gerald “Jerry” Kaplan, longtime area resident, passed away peacefully on Sunday, July 31, 2022, with loving family by his side at St. Luke’s Cornwall Hospital, Newburgh, NY. He was 86 years old.
Son of the late Jack and Ida Kaplan, Jerry was born on February 10, 1936, in Ellenville, NY. This was just the beginning of his very special and impactful life where he touched countless people. It was here where he developed his love for family while igniting his love for sports, including soccer and basketball. His hard work and successes at Ellenville High School led him to Brockport College where Jerry earned his teaching degree in Physical Education in 1957. Jerry then landed his first teaching position at Ichabod Crane School in Valatie, NY. This is where the course of his life was forever changed when he met the school nurse, Clarice, the love of his life.
Jerry moved to Highland Falls, NY in 1962 after accepting the position of Physical Education Teacher for Highland Falls-Fort Montgomery School District where he became the basketball and football coach. Soon after, he was promoted to the role of Athletic Director and coached the legendary boys’ basketball team at James I O’Neill High School, where he amassed 562 wins over 34 amazing years. His teams won 19 Orange County League championships, 7 Orange County titles, and 10 Section IX titles. He also appeared in the State Championship in 1986 and 1991. The pinnacle of his career was the induction into the NY Basketball Hall of Fame in 1996. Through all these successes, the most important legacy he left behind on the court was the lifelong relationships he formed with his players.
While Jerry’s professional life was widely recognized in the community and the state, most people came to realize that his first love was with his family. Jerry lived in his home on Kaplan Way in Fort Montgomery nearly sixty years. The love that he and his wife left there will be felt in the community for years to come.
He is survived by his daughters, Leone Semerano of Howells, NY, Rhonda Maddock and husband Bobby of Fort Lauderdale, FL, Mindy Horner and husband Ray of Cherry Hill, NJ, Jaclyn Taub and husband Alex of New Windsor, NY, sister in law Judy Wentzel of Middletown, NY, six grandchildren, Nicole, Michelle, Raymond, Rebecca, Jacob & Zachary, special family friends Chrissy and Tommy Armstrong and family, nieces & nephews Sherry, Gregg, Janna, Jennifer, cousins, and several great nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his wife Clarice Kaplan, brothers Norman Kaplan and Stanley Kaplan, sister Joyce Kaplan, and son-in-law John Semerano Jr.
A memorial will be held at 1pm on Friday, August 5, 2022, in the auditorium at the James I O’Neill High School, 21 Morgan Road, Fort Montgomery, NY 10922. Interment will follow in Eagle Valley Cemetery in the Town of Highlands.
The family requests that masks be worn when indoors in the auditorium.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Make-A-Wish Foundation, 832 S. Broadway, Tarrytown, NY 10591
Arrangements by William F. Hogan Funeral Home, Highland Falls. (845) 446-2868 or www.wfhoganfuneralhome.com.