A street co-naming ceremony for Gerard “Jerry” Neufeld took place Saturday, August 10th, at the triangle on the south end of Veterans Grove Park, at the juncture of 43rd and Whitney Avenues. Elmhurst native Neufeld (1912-1980), led a remarkable life of dedication and service to the community in various roles. One of ten children, Neufeld attended Trinity H.S, and earned a business degree from Fordham University. He enjoyed working at the 1939-40 World’s Fair as a health inspector in the kitchens of the many pavilions, interacting with people from across the globe. Later, he became co-owner of a candy store named ‘Tom and Jerry’s’ with partner Thomas Walsh on the corner of Hampton Street and 43rd Ave, the first building attributed to developer Cord Meyer, a structure with cupola atop which still stands to this day. Across the avenue, Neufeld began to help at the Devlin Funeral Home and felt that it was his calling to provide service to the community.
By 1940, after earning his undertaker license, he opened a funeral parlor on Broadway, along with James Walters. After the partnership dissolved, the business continued as Gerard J. Neufeld, Inc. This location served during the WW2 era, a time of great grief, and the loss of young servicemen. By September 1949, a new building was built, designed by Neufeld, which is the familiar structure and garden still in use today at 88-04 43rd Ave. The site also became home to Jerry and his wife Peggy, who had ten children of their own. By the late 1970’s, Jerry Neufeld, after servicing some ‘5000’ funerals, eased away from the business, as his two sons, Raymond and Joseph, assumed the day-to-day operations and procedures. His Grandson Joseph Jr, joined the family business about a dozen years ago, cementing the Neufelds legacy in this essential work, now lasting 84 years.
In addition to his full-time role of running Neufeld’s and co-parenting his own family of ten children, Neufeld, ever civic minded with a love of Elmhurst, somehow found time to engage his efforts in multiple community groups and activities. He was a founding member of the Newtown Civic Association, serving as treasurer and then president, the Elmhurst Chamber of Commerce, the Elmhurst chapter of the Lions Club of which he served as president, as well as president of the Elmhurst Memorial League. He also served as President of the Elmhurst Community Celebrations Commission which organized holiday gatherings, and music concerts in the parks, and Elmhurst’s grand bicentennial parade and festivities. He was a lifelong member of the Champlain Council Knights of Columbus. At St. Bartholomew’s Church, he was part of the Parish Council, member of the Holy Name Society and St. Vincent de Paul Society, and an usher at Sunday morning mass. In all of these pursuits, he is remembered by his outgoing gregarious and kind nature, and his willingness to lend a hand to any community member in need.
On the day of the co-naming, after days of constant rain, the sun shone bright, with a pleasant breeze as attendance numbered about sixty. Councilman Shekar Krishnan emceed the event, which included words from several of Jerry’s children, and an opening prayer by Rev. Gregory Satterlin. Onlookers included many St. Bart’s grads from the old days, numerous Neufeld relatives, and current community members. Krishnan remarked that the ceremony itself was not just for Jerry, but an honor for the entire Neufeld family, and the continuance of the business, Elmhurst’s only funeral home since the closing of Skelton’s on Broadway in 1976.
Daughter Marianne Neufeld Djordjevic, who lives in Europe, read a poem at the ceremony. She later said, “My regular visits to Elmhurst fill me with wonder at the changes-population, buildings, businesses, street life-the energy and vibrancy. This event was a catalyst to reflect on our father, the impact of one individual and his offspring, a mark made in the history of developing, changing Elmhurst.”
Krishnan also reminded the crowd of how Covid-19 took its toll on the area, and how Neufeld’s staff dealt with astonishing numbers never seen before in their history. An unexpected twist occurred during the sign unveiling as the cord holding the cover securing the sign became separated when gently pulled by Joe Neufeld and Joe Jr. Within moments however, a tall expandable ladder was produced, whereby Krishnan scampered to the top, and removed the cover jubilantly.
Those lingering afterwards exchanged pleasantries with faces they hadn’t seen in years, had cakes donated by the Entenmann’s Company, and coffee provided free from the adjacent KNA Deli and Grocery.
James McMenamin is Vice President of the Newtown Civic Association, Elmhurst History and Cemeteries Preservation Society, and the Elmhurst Memorial League.
