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Nathaniel ‘Pete’ Gelb
Nathaniel “Pete” Gelb died peacefully on New Year’s Day, at his home in Water Mill, surrounded by his family. He was 86.
Born in the Bronx on July 2, 1938, he lived most of his life in New York before settling in Water Mill in 1991, where he made his permanent home.
He began his career as a copy editor at The New York Times before moving into advertising. He worked as a copywriter at agencies like The Friedlich Agency, Rapp & Collins, and Wunderman, Ricotta & Kline. In the 1980s, he co-founded Bloom & Gelb, an innovative agency that pioneered direct mail fundraising for nonprofits, including The National Audubon Society, PBS, and AARP.
In the 1960s, he discovered the East End, where he fell in love with the area’s natural beauty. He bought and renovated a farmhouse in Southampton, sparking a lifelong passion for home renovation and design. Over the years, he built and lived in three more homes in Water Mill, each chosen for its private, picturesque setting.
He is survived by his wife, Nancy Grady; his children, Catherine (Adam Isacson), Thomas (Kelly Maginnis), Jane (Miles Cooper), and Laura; and his grandchildren, Ben, Jonathan, Margaret and August.
Staff Writer on Jan 6, 2025