Eugene Gold

Eugene Gold, 100, of Woodstock, NY (formerly of Brooklyn, New York and Jerusalem, Israel), passed away at home on Monday, August 5, 2024. He was born on June 24, 1924 in Brooklyn, New York and was the son of the late Abraham Gold and Fannie (Schnapper) Gold and brother of the late Howard Gold. 

Eugene is survived by his children, Caralee Gold Moor of Woodstock, Michael Gold and his wife Helen Kloogman of Chappaqua, and Wendy Gold of Saugerties; his former son-in-law, Bruce Moor of New Paltz; his grandchildren, Gideon Abraham Moor, Elias Jeremiah Moor and his wife Mia, David Rothe, Aaron Gold, Ruthie Gold and her husband Jeremy Pincus, and his great-grandchildren, Chloe Sydel Moor, Isaac Aquino Moor, Noah Raoul Pincus and Samuel Heyne Pincus. In addition to his parents, he is predeceased by his granddaughter Isabel Gold Moor. His beloved wife, Rosaine “Ronnie” Gold died on October 30, 2023. Ronnie and Eugene were married for 77 years and knew each other for 82 years. They were each other’s whole world.

Eugene served in the United States Army as an Acting Sergeant in World War II from 1942 to 1946.

Upon completion of his military service, he enrolled in and graduated from Brooklyn Law School where he was chosen to be on the Law Review. After graduation he joined his mentor William “the Colonel” Kleinman’s firm and later became partners in a highly accomplished criminal defense practice until he became District Attorney of Brooklyn from 1968-1981. During his tenure as DA, Eugene tripled the staff and supervised 300 attorneys in successfully prosecuting a variety of noteworthy murder, organized crime, and other cases. He is famous for prosecuting the Son of Sam killer, David Berkowitz, and personally conducted the competency hearing that ultimately led to his guilty plea and life sentence. He approved and obtained judicial authorization to plant a listening device into a known organized crime trailer that produced hundreds of arrests and prosecutions. The “Gold Bug,” as it was known, was the first of its kind and a precursor and roadmap for later organized crime prosecutions in federal and state courts in New York and elsewhere. As a prosecutor, he understood that his primary function was not only to prosecute the guilty but, also, to protect the innocent through procedural and substantive due process. He dismissed the indictments and freed the wrongfully convicted and incarcerated George Whitmore in the famous “Career Girls” murder cases, also known as the Wylie-Hoffert murders. This case was widely credited in legislative history as the reason the death penalty was outlawed in New York State and was cited in the Supreme Court Miranda decision as the most egregious example and basis for its ruling requiring the so-called Miranda warnings. Eugene was elected President of the New York State District Attorneys Association and, later, the Vice President of the National District Attorneys Association.

While serving as DA, Eugene was one of a handful of individuals world-wide who orchestrated and executed the strategy and effort for the successful release of hundreds of thousands of Soviet Jews who were persecuted for being Jews but denied their right to emigrate. He made numerous trips to the Soviet Union, lobbied and unified an international coalition to pressure the Soviets, and worked tirelessly with American political leaders such as U.S. Senator Henry “Scoop” Jackson to pass the Jackson-Vanek Amendment and ultimately secure their release. He was Chairman of the National Conference on Soviet Jewry as well as a member of the International Presidium for Soviet Jewry. Eugene became a trusted advisor to Presidents Nixon, Ford, Carter, and Reagan on Jewish affairs and was a frequent visitor to the White House. As well, he was on the National Board of Histadrut and the National Board of Israel Bonds.

In 1981, Eugene and Ronnie made Aliyah and lived in Israel until their return to Woodstock in 1995, where they lived until their deaths. Eugene was eternally devoted to his family.

Arrangements entrusted to Keyser Funeral & Cremation Service, Kingston, NY. A graveside service will be held at 12pm on Wednesday, August 7, 2024 at Woodstock Cemetery, Woodstock, NY. Shiva will be held at 5 Boggs Hill Road, Woodstock, NY 12498 on Thursday, 1:00-5:00 PM and Friday, 12:00-3:00 PM.

Contributions in Eugene’s name may be made to Na'Amat USA, 6320 Canoga Ave., Suite 270, Woodland Hills, CA 91367 or at naamat.org. A tribute for Eugene can be found at www.KeyserFuneralService.com, where you may leave memories and expressions of sympathy for his family.