The Paterson school community is mourning a beloved principal who died from COVID-19-related complications.

Dr. Gerald Glisson was a principal at Eastside High School. He held the job for about three years, and officials say that he was a pillar of the community who cared about his students’ well-being.

 

“I can tell you that his major concern was that because of this pandemic, students would lose out academically. That missing out on a third of the school year was going to set them back,” says Paterson Mayor Andre Sayegh.

Officials say that Glisson left an imprint on the district as a principal, educator, coach and athletic director.

“It’s not only a big void for the district. It’s a big void for me as well,” says School Superintendent Eileen Shafer.

Shafer says that she worked with Glisson for almost 20 years.

“He was so instrumental this year in implementing restorative practices where students were no longer suspended, but a meeting where all those involved could come to an understanding, so whatever the situation was, it could be resolved. He had a way of talking to the students,” she says.

Glisson leaves behind a wife and two children. He was 46 years old