An 82-year-old man suffering from dementia left his home at 171 West 79th Street at 4 a.m. on Thursday and has not been seen since.
Gerald Ranson is described as a white male, 6’1″ tall, 230 lbs, with gray beard, burgundy baseball cap, black sweater, brown pants, light blue jacket and black shoes with an orange stripe.
Update: Ranson was found at Beth Israel, “confused and cold but fine,” his son tells us. Thanks to everyone who helped out and shared this post.
See the missing poster below and call 212-580-6414 or the other numbers listed below if you see him.
UPDATE: Police put out the updated poster below, and Ranson’s son also gave us some more information about his father. Ranson was a Senior Creative Art Director who helped create the I Love NY campaign many of the great jingles you know from television. He is a life long New Yorker and Upper West Sider.
A man who resembles him spoke to me at Riverside Park on Wednesday. I was taking pictures and he commented, “It’s beautiful, isn’t it?” Very friendly. I agreed and he moved on. If that was him and he was in the park the day before, maybe they ought to be looking in the parks. I hope he’s found soon. I hate to think of elderly, confused people lost in the city.
Where in the park. They are looking everywhere, including the parks, but it’s helpful to have an approximate location. In any case I will let the family know that he may have been spotted.
Thank you for posting this. I hope Gerry is safe and is found soon.
Once again I plead that the WSR provide streets and avenues. In this case: “left his home at 171 West 79th Street” the Avenue is Amsterdam (less than a block from the Museum of Natural History).
There was a better location description provided in your lost cat story (“A cat has gone missing from an apartment at 90th Street and Broadway”)
GREAT NEWS!
Gerry has been found downtown – confused but OK.
Excellent news! I met one his caregivers at Staples this morning and took some flyers. I hope his family knows how many neighbors (incl those of us who havent even met him!) have been concerned. God bless!
Thank you, Nora! So happy to hear he has been found!