Fairfield First Selectman Bill Gerber remembered as leader who united people
Gerber was remembered as a leader who unified a politically divided community with humility and kindness.
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More than 1,000 mourners honored Fairfield First Selectman Bill Gerber on Friday, who died of complications from a brain tumor last week.
Gerber was remembered as a leader who unified a politically divided community with humility and kindness.
"I LOVE YOU, DAD"
Under the scorching summer sun, mourners streamed into Sacred Heart University's Martire Family Arena for a final tribute.
"I love you, Dad," said Gerber's son, John. "You really made me who I am today, and I'm going to miss the frickin' hell out of you, man."
The service drew Gov. Ned Lamont, Connecticut's two senators and Rep. Jim Himes – but also hundreds of everyday citizens.
"We lost a remarkable man and leader," Himes posted on X. "Bill touched a lot of lives, and I think made us all better."
ANOTHER LOSS TO CANCER
Gerber was diagnosed with a brain tumor on June 29. He died last Tuesday following complications from two surgeries at Yale New Haven Hospital.
For Gerber's family, his death is yet another loss. Their son Teddy died of sarcoma at the age of 9.
"Fifteen years ago, when we lost Teddy, it was such a dark, terrible time," Gerber's wife, Jessica, told the crowd. "And Bill would say that what kept him going was the fact that we had two beautiful, smart funny children who he adored."
After their son's passing, the Gerbers raised more than $1.6 million for childhood cancer research through their yearly "Team Teddy" event.
"There are only three of us left on Earth, but we will always be a family of five," John Gerber said.
UNIFYING PRESENCE
In 2024, Gerber was elected by a razor-thin 37-vote margin after a bruising race against then-First Selectman Brenda Kupchick, a Republican.
"I was much more incensed by the ludicrous things his opponents and social media trolls would say," Jessica Gerber said. "They'd say he was terrible, horrible, unethical, incompetent."
Mourners praised Gerber for lowering the political temperature during his short 18 months in office.
"It's beyond a rarity," said David Becker, the town's chief operating officer. "I'm not sure I'll ever truly see that in the same form again."
WHAT'S NEXT?
According to Fairfield's town charter, Gerber's replacement must be from the same party. Acting First Selectman Christine Vitale, also a Democrat, wants to fill out the rest of his term.
