Quietly, but for decades, Gene Cedarbaum was an important force in Westport life. He died yesterday, at 77.
Gene Cedarbaum
Gene’s contributions were broad and varied. He served on the Board of Education, Representative Town Meeting, Citizens Transit Committee, Commission on Senior Services, Westport Transit District, and as a justice of the peace. He was the town’s fair housing agent too.
He was a board member of United Way, the Connecticut Association of Boards of Education, Westport Arts Center, Westport Historical Society and Temple Israel. He also served in the House of Delegates of the Connecticut Bar Association. He helped formed and represented A Better Chance of Westport.
Gene was a member of the Westport Sunrise Rotary Club. Active in Democratic town politics, he served as a delegate to state conventions
He was a graduate of New York University, where he was elected student body president, and Columbia University School of Law. He started his legal career as an Army lawyer. He moved with his family to Westport, and entered private law practice in 1973
He is survived by his wife Carol, his children Mark and Deborah Cederbaum Jones, and grandchildren
A service for Gene is set for tomorrow (Monday, January 20, 1 p.m., Temple Israel. Friends are invited to the family home, 57 Partrick Road, on Monday and Tuesday (4 to 8 p.m).
I was on citizen transit committee and working with gene was great he was smart and a great guy
Gene was a friend and colleague for more than 40 years. Always a gentleman, Gene brought perspective and wisdom to our business meetings and good friendship to his social gatherings. He was a “class act” and our community will miss him terribly. I know I will. Ken Bernhard
Not only was he a very intelligent and learned person, he was also a very sweet man, always having a nice thing to say. Glad I knew him.
Thanks to our daughters, we met Gene and his darling wife Carol. It was the beginning of a remarkable 30 year friendship. Gene inspired me to run for Westport RTM, one of the most interesting experiences of my life. A gentle man who was a gentleman, he always spoke his mind never stinting to support the less fortunate. Westport is missing a gem today given his LED-wattage brilliant smile no longer shines. Vaya con dios.
Gene Cederbaum was the embodiment of the citizen-volunteer that makes Westport so special. His warmth, compassion and dedication to public service, coupled with his keen intellect, made him a unique participant in the public life of our community. On behalf of the Town of Westport, I want to express our condolences and sincere “thank you” to Carol and the rest of his family for sharing Gene and his extraordinary talents with us.
Jim Marpe
First Selectman
Among his many activities, Gene was an active and dedicated member of the Democratic Town Committee for many years. He was a pleasure to work with and to know. All those that knew him from his involvement there and with various other organizations will miss him greatly!
I am very saddened to see this announcement. Gene was such a kind being. He always stopped you with a kind word, no matter where I ran into him. My thoughts & prayers go out to his family during this most difficult time. Gene may you Rest in Eternal Peace and always shine down upon us.
Gene Cedarbaum was a kind and extraordinary human being. I met him many years ago.He was Always kind thoughtful and generous with his knowledge. We knew him through law and friendship. He and Carol spent one Christmas serving Christmas dinner at the Gillespie center with us. He loved Carol, his family, Westport and was just overall an amazing human being. I had a legal question just last month and even In his failing health he had me come over and shared his insights. Carol was his rock. He was a rare and wonderful man. My deepest sympathy to Carol his family and our town. Rest In Peace Gene
Gene and I were on the Board of Education together. As well, Gene and I were Westport’s two representatives for several years on the Ct Sourhwest Regional Planning Agency (SWARPA).
Gene was always very thoughtful, well-prepared and most of all he was always a real gentleman.
A real loss for Westport. Gene was a solid citizen and will certainly missed.
All of us are truly fortunate that he was a part of our community. thoughts and prayers for him and his family.
This is heartbreaking news. Gene embodied what it means to give back to a community. As a loving husband, father, grandfather and wonderful friend, Gene touched everyone who knew him with his warmth, careful thought and willingness to volunteer his time and talents. It was a sincere privilege to work with Gene as co-Directors of the Westport Transit District. He advanced many great ideas for the Town. It is too soon for him to leave. His memory and legacy will last in the many lives that he touched.
As sad as I am to learn of Gene’s passing, I am also reminded of how positive, supportive and kind Gene was to those who had the good fortune to know him. For those of us engaged in public service, Gene was not only a leader but also a teacher. Gene had a great capacity for listening and his words were always thoughtful and full of insight. And his love of family, love for Westport and love of life were ever-present. We will miss you, my friend and mentor. You graced us with your life and we honor you through our tears. Peace.
Great guy 🙏
Such very sad news. Gene was one of the kindest and nicest people I’ve known in my 30 years in Westport. When we fought to save the Partrick Wetlands, he jumped right in to help. He was a true gentleman, a pleasure to know, and a force of nature in his own quiet, unassuming way. He will be missed. My sincere condolences to Carol and their family.
He died much too young. We worked on homeless issues especially in the 90s. He was also for a time a member of Westport Rotary (luncheon meeting) and he brought us very interesting speakers. He gave freely of his time and skills and he will be impossible to replace.
Gene was a gem of a human being. Blessed to have known him. I loved our talks over the years, be it politics, education, our town; we always found common ground. Reminded me so much of Bill Myer, he gave his time and skills to our town and never asked for anything back in return.
Gene was a kind and genuine in every way. It is so true when they say, that after you are gone, it is not what you did in your life that people will remember, but they will remember how you made them feel. He will be missed.
This is sad news. Gene was a good and decent man. A selfless human being who gave freely of his considerable talents. He was a good friend.
So sorry to hear this news. Gene was a wonderful man.