BARUCH DAYAN HA’EMES: Tragic Petirah of longtime Lakewood Askan Reb PG Waxman Z”L [UPDATED]

It is with much regret we inform you of the Petirah of longtime Lakewood Askan and community activist Reb Pinchos Gershon (PG) Waxman Z”L.

After contracting Covid, Reb PG suffered other complications, and was unfortunately Niftar this afternoon at Jersey Shore University Medical Center.

Reb PG was renowned for his Chesed and Tzedakah in a quiet way, and was a beloved friend to thousands around Lakewood and beyond. He resided in the 14th Street area.

“PG was brilliant, with a heart of gold. His love was his Divrei Torah he wrote every week, and he was a real example of what it means to serve the Tzibuur,” a neighbor and longtime friend of Reb PG told TLS.

A friend of Reb PG tells TLS he recently spoke to him over the phone while he was in the hospital, and Reb PG expressed his sadness about him being unable to write his Divrei Torah.

Reb PG was also very involved with local politics, and served as the first Frum Yid on the Lakewood Township Committee, including in the capacity of Deputy Mayor. He was currently also on the Ocean County Tax Board, and the Lakewood MUA.

“I have a broken heart,” Senator Bob Singer told TLS. “Having known him for many many years, serving with him on boards – I’m just heartbroken.”

“It’s a sad day for his family and the residents of Lakewood,” said Police Chief Greg Meyer. “PG was a kind gentleman who I have known for over 35 years. Our condolences from the men and women of the Lakewood Police Department.”

Lakewood Mayor Ray Coles sent TLS the following statement:

“PG Waxman was my first friend from the Orthodox Community. Over our 20 plus year friendship, he taught me a great deal about Orthodox Judaism, but even more about how to be a truly good person.

He always treated everyone with respect and had a deep well of compassion for those in need.

He was also a ground breaker, as the first Orthodox Jew elected to the township committee. A seat which I now hold.

I was appointed to his seat when he resigned to join the county tax board. After my first meeting, he called me to congratulate me again and gave me 2 simple but important pieces of advice. “Always do the right thing” and “Family comes first”. I’ve done my best to follow his advice every day since that December evening in 2001.

My heart is broken tonight over the loss of my friend, over the pain his family is enduring, and because our town has lost a leader.

Thank you PG for your guidance, for sharing your wisdom and for all the laughs we shared

Rest In Peace.”

While not being Osek B’tzorchei Tzibbur, Reb PG ran Waxman Realty, one of the first Frum real estate brokerage firms in Lakewood, selling thousands of Lakewood homes to Yungerleit moving to Lakewood in the early years.

He was just 60 years old, and leaves behind his wife, and a family of children Bnei Torah – three who are not yet married.

The Levaya is scheduled to take place at 8:00 p.m. tonight at the 7th Street Chapel, with Kevurah in Lakewood.

You can watch the Levaya via Zoom, Passcode: 352306, or by phone 646-558-8656.

Baruch Dayan Ha’emes.

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32 COMMENTS

  1. This is a sad and tragic loss. PG did so many things for so many people for decades. Occasionally, over the last 25 years, I would consult with him for information and advice. BDE
    Rich Roberts

  2. A true giant has left us.

    P Principled
    I Intelligent and
    N Noble.
    C Compelling yet
    H Humble.
    O Open and
    S Sincere.

    G Genuine
    E Empathetic
    R Righteous
    S Soft spoken
    H Honest
    O Oved Hashem
    N Notable.

    Genuine
    Empathetic

  3. A tragic loss, that will be felt for a very very very long time. He was never afraid to do what was right in HaSh-m’s eyes, regardless of the consequences. He was kind, gentle and fearless. BDE.

  4. Wow. Amazing.
    He had everyone fooled.
    People talk about his chesed and Askanus. No one talks about him being a MASSIVE Talmid Chochom. I used to occasionally discuss with him the Vertlech he sent out on his email. He would varf from all over Shas, Medrash, Rishonim and achronim.
    He once quoted me a Maharal. I said, oh, where’s that ? He told me where it was then he mumbled to me: I went through all the Sifrei Maharal.
    I almost fell off my chair.
    We lost a greatman today.
    And its a reminderto us that this Mageifah is NOT over and we should still beseech HKBH to end this.
    May we know no more pain.

  5. A tragic loss for Lakewood. Our friendship goes back many years. A very kind and thoughtful man. My deepest sympathy to Zeldy and his family.

  6. There are no words!!!! So sudden & so sad!!! You were a role model to so many !!!! A very special person who cared for all & always stood up for what was right. You were a true ben torah who stood as an example for all realtors, a ben torah who sold real estate with such yashrus. You were a true leader, who led by example. you will be missed by us all! You personally answered my questions & guided me & I have so much hakoros hatov! We lost a giant! Hamokom yenachem eschem besoch shar avlei tzion beyerushalayim!

  7. My heart goes out to his family. Such a special human being! I’m humbled even to write something here.He will be missed sorely but his legacy of fine midos, maasim tovim, Torah and Yiras Shamayim and his good sense of humor will live on together with the fine family he raised. BDE

    Devorah Menashy

  8. I was out of town and so I watched on zoom as I was driving back to Lakewood-not a very wise move but I could not switch off. It was breathtaking to watch how every one of his bnei mishpocho that spoke was able to touch on a different מעלה or bring out a different מדה of the niftar or was able to express it differently… and with a different story. He was a walking mussar sefer… and the levaya was (in a sense)the best mussar shmooz I’ve heard in recent time..
    May the mishpocho have a true nechoma!

  9. P.G. was an amazingly kind man. He cared for all God’s people . He was a pleasure to know, , taught me much and I respected him enormously . One of kind gone too soon. May his family find comfort in their precious memories . Rest In Peace

  10. PG was a multifaceted one of a kind special individual and as can be seen by the comments left an indelible impression on so many people both Jew and non Jew.He should serve as a role model on how each of us need to live. I feel fortunate to have known him. May his family be comforted amongst aveli tzion v’yerushlaim.
    A.Wrona

  11. What a zchus to have known such “Ah Derhoibeneh Neshama”.I remember when first coming to Lakewood 30 yrs.ago and living in a rented house for 4 years.R’Pinchos Gershon Z”L was the agent on behalf of the owner when the house went for sale.How he Apologized for inconveniencing us every time he brought a prospective client to view the house.What Sterling Middos!R’Paysach Kron speaks of the meaning of”Arichas YOMIM” as someone that Maximized every DAY of ther life.That was R’Pinchos Gershon Z”L.Oh how left his imprint on everyone’s heart!
    He will be sorely missed.May his Neshama be a Meilitz Yoisher for the Mishpasha and
    Gantz Klal Yisroel.

  12. This one hit very close to home. I met PG when I was 18 years old and started working for LTRAP. He was just getting into the real estate business, and was a fixture at the office. He was came with a smile, and was such a pleasant person. As the years passed by we reconnected in 2000 when I returned, and he would always ask how myself and the family were doing. My last conversation with him was a week before he became ill. Myself and the rest of the LTRAP family were all in shock to hear this. My prayers and condolences go out to his family, loved ones, and all those who knew him. He will truly be missed.

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