Sheldon A. Gross
By Real Estate NJ
Sheldon Gross Realty is mourning the loss of Sheldon A. Gross, a longtime New Jersey commercial real estate broker and founder of the West Orange-based real estate services firm.
Gross, 94, died peacefully in his sleep on Sunday at his home in South Orange, according to his obituary. The lifelong New Jersey resident devoted more than 60 years to the commercial real estate business, following his involvement in other industries at the start of his career.
Sheldon Gross Realty would become a mainstay in the industry, with a recognizable logo consisting of a large G around an outline of the state of New Jersey, the obituary noted.
Gross was born July 2, 1928, at Beth Israel Hospital in Newark to Meyer and Nathalie Gross, the obit said. He would soon move to South Orange and live in or near the town for most of his life.
The firm said Gross spent the earlier part of his career in his father’s business, H.E. Salzberg Co., which operated bus lines, railroads and even the trolley that ran across the Queensboro Bridge before it was taken over by the New York City MTA. He also had a short stint owning the Scientific Wood Cabinet Co., which made cabinets and wooden pocketbooks for women, among other things.
“Eventually, in or around 1958, Gross sold the cabinet-making business and noticed the potential business opportunities in real estate when he sold that business’ building,” the firm wrote in his obituary. “As a result, his knowledge and passion for New Jersey blossomed into a long and successful career as a real estate professional, culminating with his creating the renowned Sheldon Gross Realty Inc., specializing in selling and managing commercial real estate.”
Gross was preceded in death by his first wife, Simone Lipton, and Charlotte Gross, his second wife of 55 years, as well his brothers Richard and Peter Gross. He is survived by his children Barbara Gross Franklin (Michael), Jackie Gross (Stuart Siris), Jonathan Gross (Elisa) and Marcy Gross Glick (partner Matt Ruggiero), as well as five grandchildren, Adam Goodkind, Lorah Goodkind, Travis Gross, Alexandra Gross and Jennifer Glick.
He is also survived by his devoted and loving partner, Sheila Slutsker, the obituary said.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 9, at Bernheim-Apter-Kreitzman Suburban funeral chapel in Livingston. Shiva will be at 321 North Wyoming Ave., Unit 2A, in South Orange, on Nov. 9 from 7 to 9 p.m. and on Nov. 10 from 5 to 8 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Gross’ memory to the Adam Goodkind NF2 Family Fund at the Children’s Tumor Foundation, https://join.ctf.org/give/163231/#!/donation/checkout and designating the donation to go to the Adam Goodkind NF2 fund or the United Cerebral Palsy Foundation, https://donatenow.networkforgood.org/UnitedCerebralPalsy.
