Peter Gershenson
- Oct 27, 2021
- 2 min read
Updated: Dec 14, 2023
1959 - 2021
OBITUARY
Peter was a Dad (the very Best of the Best) to J and Josh and a devoted husband and soulmate to Carolyn for over 38 years. He always made sure everyone was taken care of no matter what the circumstances. He worked so hard everyday and loved his chosen profession.
Peter loved life and so many loved him. He made life better for so many, asked nothing in return and because of that made the world a better place.
Peter wanted to be a dentist from the time he was 15 years old when he started following around the Oral Surgeons at Coney Island Hospital as a volunteer. After high school He was accepted into the extremely selective six year combined degree dental program at NYU.
Wherever he was practicing on any given day, he cared for his patients in the same manner as he would care for his own family.
Peter said frequently that his life has exceeded anything he could have ever imagined. He said that often and with the utmost sincerity. After being a solo practitioner for many years he decided to move into the arena of academia and hospital based dentistry. The combination of those two made his professional life complete. Peter ended his career taking care of special needs patients at his Alma Mater NYU. Those patients who needed extra care, he would arrange to take them to the operating room at Bellevue Hospital where he also taught the residents how to perform complex cases. He always cared for those who needed the care that they could not easily get elsewhere. As Peter embarked through his career as a residency director prior to joining the NYU special care center, he made sure each and every year those who were underrepresented, graduates of HBC’s and who were often overlooked in the dental residency selection process were given an opportunity within his program at Jacobi Medical Center where he spent 14 years dedicating his expertise to the underserved. Peter’s private practice for over 30 years served the neighborhood near Coney Island where he grew up. Peter always remained a proud Brooklynite, a graduate of Lincoln High School and NYU then onto a residency in general dentistry and Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at Brooklyn’s Woodhull Hospital. Peter was an outstanding human who will be missed by so many and will remain loved forever by all who knew him. His spirit and light will eternally remain.
Flawless to the finish line…….
VISITATION
Saturday, October 30
5:00 - 8:00 PM
New Hyde Park Funeral Home
506 Lakeville Road, New Hyde Park, NY
Dr. Gershenson, I met you only briefly as an applicant to your program. You treated me with compassion when others in your position chose to pass on me. Though I chose a different path, I held on to your kindness. For years as my path crossed your program, I looked for you, to thank you for the way you treated me, but we never did get to meet again. In my efforts to move past the experiences that led to the situation, I pushed these memories aside. I regret that I did not seek you out later on to let you know what an impression you made on me, and to thank you. What was shared about you here reflects…
I am terribly sorry to have learned of this, well after it happened. I grew up with Peter in Flatbush and we remained friends on and off for years. I knew Monroe and Charlotte, as well as Peter's sister, all from when Peter and I were young. I saw him now and then but not since before COVID. May his memory be a blessing.
My deepest condolences to this remarkable man's family. I learned of the passing today, due to me trying to make another appointment. I am saddened I was only able to speak with him twice, but both times were remarkable. He will be missed and remembered.
Very nice person we talked about cars all the time will be missed
Carolyn, I just heard about this today and am so shocked and sorry to hear of Peter's passing. I wish you and your men peace and healing.