Herbert “Herb” Addison, a great friend and advocate of Glen Ridge, died peacefully on January 20, 2026 at age 93. A 45-year resident of the borough, Herb, along with his wife Gerry, were two of only three people to have received honorary lifetime memberships in the Glen Ridge Historical Society.
The son of a cabinetmaker, Herb was born in 1932 in Berkeley, California. As an underclassman at the University of California, Herb pursued his dream of becoming an architect, a love that would last his life. He also met another love during this time, Geraldyne Harvey. They married in 1958.
By this time, Herb had realized that he would never be a great architect, and had changed his focus to book publishing. The newlyweds moved to Queens, New York, where Herb received a Masters Degree at NYU and they started a family. Their son Bradley was born in 1960, with Gregory coming in 1963. Herb and Gerry were married for 59 years.
When the kids were still young, the family bought the house that would be their home for the next four and a half decades, on Sherman Avenue a few blocks from Hurrell Field. It was 1968, a year when you could buy a 5-bedroom Victorian for $30,000. Herb commuted 5 days a week into Manhattan during a 40-year career in book editing that ranged from college textbooks to economics and business, and even to bibles; this last stint with Oxford University Press.
While in Glen Ridge, Herb and Gerry immersed themselves in the community. Herb was the VP of The Civic Conference Committee, an 8-year member of The Historic Preservation Commission, and a Trustee of the Glen Ridge Historical Society. Channel 36 steering committee, Rotary Club secretary for 10 years. Gerry was a delegate for the Historical Society, a longtime member of the Book Club, Women’s Club and secretary of the Montclair Music Club.
Herb also made furniture, (transplanting his dad’s California wood shop to their basement on Sherman Avenue), played tennis at Freeman Courts, enjoyed classical and operatic performances, and hiked in the Adirondacks. Traveling was always a part of family life, and Herb and Gerry ramped up their adventures in later years, eventually visiting 30 countries over 40 years.
By 2013, the big Victorian house was feeling too big; Brad and Greg had moved into their own homes, so Herb and Gerry found a community situated halfway between their sons at Ann’s Choice Senior Living in Warminster, PA. Gerry passed in 2016 at age 85, and Herb strode on, running the concert series at Ann’s Choice and spearheading the drive to designate the Germantown Jewish Centre a Pennsylvania Historic Place.
Herb is survived by Brad and Greg, as well as Greg’s sons Romare and Leland Addison. He was loved and admired by many who knew him — he will be deeply missed.
A gathering to celebrate Herb’s life will be held on Saturday, March 14th, 2026 from 10:30 to noon at the Chapel at Ann’s Choice, 30000 Ann’s Choice Way, Warminster, PA 18974, with lunch immediately following. If you would like to join us for the meal (and we hope you will), please call or text Greg at (917) 836-1858, or email to addagreg25@gmail.com
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