05/22/2026
The SUNY Cobleskill Ag & Tech family mourns the passing of Gerald Hisert.
Gerald "Jerry" Hisert, age 89, of Cobleskill, NY, passed away peacefully surrounded by family. Born on May 30, 1936, on a farm in Stone Arabia, NY, Jerry was the beloved son of the late Irene (Pitcher) Hisert and Benjamin Hisert, and was predeceased by his brothers, William Hisert, Donald Hisert and Robert Hisert; and sisters, Ethel Crouse, and Dorothy Shults.
Jerry was a lifelong advocate for education, hard work, and service to others. "Work hard and earn a degree" was a line he often said. "After all, no one can take your education from you." A proud member of the SUNY Cobleskill Class of 1959, he went on to serve as Dean of Accounting at SUNY Cobleskill serving at the college for 33 years (1968 - 2001), shaping the lives and careers of countless students. In recognition of his dedication to the college and its athletic tradition, he was the recipient of the Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Teaching in 1977 and was inducted into the SUNY Cobleskill Fighting Tigers Hall of Fame in 1999.
His commitment extended far beyond the classroom. He gave back to his community through his service on the Board of Education for Cobleskill Central Schools in the late 1970's through the early 1980's and his service on the Town of Cobleskill Board of Trustees. Jerry also spent many years coaching the SUNY Cobleskill baseball, basketball and golf teams, where he built lasting relationships with student-athletes and colleagues that he continued to cherish throughout his life. He found great joy in mentoring young people, supporting their growth both on and off the course, and staying connected with many of them long after their college years. His longtime involvement with the Cobleskill Golf Course, where he served as treasurer, reflected both his love of golf and the deep friendships he formed through the game.
Jerry's life story was one of perseverance, determination, and appreciation for simple joys. Growing up during the Great Depression and World War II on farms in the Mohawk Valley and Wagoner's Hollow, he often shared vivid stories of farm life, family struggles, and adventures with his brothers and sisters. Those experiences shaped the values he carried throughout his life: resilience, loyalty, humor, and a deep appreciation for family.
Athletics became one of the defining passions of Jerry's life. As a standout athlete at Fort Plain High School, where he was inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame in 1983, and later at SUNY Cobleskill, he excelled in basketball, baseball, and cross-country and went on to coach baseball, basketball and golf. His love for baseball, especially the Brooklyn and later Los Angeles Dodgers, remained one of his lifelong passions. Jerry grew up listening to Dodgers games on the radio, carefully keeping scorecards and following the team through generations of players and unforgettable seasons. That love stayed with him throughout his life, and after purchasing a condo in Vero Beach, Florida, he especially enjoyed being able to watch the Dodgers during spring training while they trained there. Baseball was always woven into his life and provided many of his fondest memories and stories to share with family and friends.
His talent on the field also led to extraordinary opportunities, including signing with the New York Yankees organization in 1954 after a tryout at Yankee Stadium. Jerry often reflected on that experience with pride and humility, recalling the excitement of a young man from a small town standing on the field at "the House That Ruth Built."
Jerry also proudly served his country in the United States Army, spending time stationed in Germany during the late 1950s. He carried many stories from his military years and valued the friendships and experiences that service brought him.
Known for his strong work ethic, deep love for family, and devotion to education, Jerry took on many roles throughout his life. From refereeing women's basketball games to support his growing family, to mentoring students and colleagues, he was a steady source of strength and encouragement to everyone around him. He married the love of his life Nancy (Silvestri) Hisert in 1963 and was a devoted husband for 62 years, and a loving father to Tonia Thompson-Grubham (Todd), Richard Hisert (Beth), Melissa Morlang (Craig), Jill Florio (Michael), and Tara Winter.
Jerry's greatest pride came from his grandchildren: Ella and Ava Grubham, Sophia Yen, Benjamin and Ryley Hisert, Dylan and Emma Morlang, Anthony and Alexus Gould, and Adam and Gianna Winter, who brought him endless joy. He loved spending time with family and friends, whether on the golf course, around the card table during Thursday night poker games that continued right up until his 89th birthday, or gathered together for holidays filled with laughter and storytelling.
One of Jerry's favorite traditions was the annual Hisert family picnic each July, where generations of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends gathered to reconnect. Jerry delighted in retelling family stories, especially the legendary tales of "Uncle Dickie" and "Uncle Porky," ensuring those memories and family bonds would continue for generations to come.
Jerry's legacy lives on through his family, former students, colleagues, and friends. He will be remembered for his kindness, humor, determination, storytelling, and unwavering devotion to the people he loved most. He leaves behind a family forever grateful for the lessons he taught, the example he set, and the memories he created.
"A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives." - Jackie Robinson
The family will receive friends at Mereness-Putnam Funeral Home, 171 Elm Street, Monday, May 25, from 5:00 until 8:00 p.m.
A Funeral Mass will be offered at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, corner of Washington Avenue and Elm Street, Cobleskill, NY, Tuesday, May 26, 2026, at 11:00am.
If you wish to honor Jerry's life with a donation, please consider the Gerald and Nancy Hisert Scholarship Endowment. Checks may be made payable to and sent to the SUNY Cobleskill Foundation, 106 Suffolk Circle, 228 Knapp Hall, Cobleskill, NY 12043.
https://www.merenessputnamfuneralhome.com/obituaries/gerald-hisert
