Jim Gemake of Quogue, Formerly Of Water Mill, Dies March 8

Jim Gemake of Quogue, formerly of Water Mill, died on March 8. He was 84.

He was born in Brooklyn, educated at Brooklyn Prep High School, and then graduated from Fordham University Rose Hill in the Bronx.

With a lifelong love of baseball, Mr. Gemake loved telling of the time in his youth when he played against Sandy Koufax before Koufax was signed by the major leagues. He became an avid fan of the New York Mets after the Brooklyn Dodgers left Brooklyn, as well as being a season ticket holder with the New York Jets for many years. As a disciplined, active sportsman himself, he ran in and completed in five New York City Marathons while living in the city.

His working life was spent in the men’s sportswear industry. He worked for various companies before he and his partner created their own company, Recess Sportswear, which they ran successfully for 20 years before closing the business and retiring in 1991.

He and his wife Carolyn then moved to Long Beach Island, New Jersey, where they had a weekend house before finally moving to Water Mill in 1997.

Mr. Gemake was an artist for over 50 years, creating many unique and compelling assemblage pieces. He enjoyed and thrived in the artistic community of the East End, his family said. His work was first represented by the Arlene Bujese Gallery in East Hampton, and to date with Peter Marcelle and Catherine McCormack, now MM Fine Art in Southampton.

Mr. and Mrs. Gemake were both involved with the creation of the Box Art Auction with founders David and Marion Porter, which continues to benefit East End Hospice every year. He was a member of the East Hampton Artists Alliance and the Southampton Artists Association for many years. He was also an important part of The Hampton Library’s Fridays at Five authors program as, along with good friend Joe Conti, he served as one of the “very distinguished “ bartenders for many years.

He will always be remembered for his quick wit, charm and ability to tell a great joke with impeccable timing, as well as his love of good food and fine wines, his family said, noting that he always enjoyed serious discussions concerning politics, sports, art and life in general. He is deeply missed by family and many cherished friends here and across the country, his family said.

In addition to his wife Carolyn, he is survived by his step-daughters Cathy Pilkin (Gerard) and Kobi Mannarino (Al); three grandchildren, Caitlin LaRosa (Mike), Sean Pilkin, Maggie Pilkin and great grandson Ryan LaRosa; his niece Debbie Caggiano (Anthony) and family; as well as a number of family members in Maine and Florida.

A memorial Mass is being planned, and will be announced at a later date.