Gary Lewis Krasner
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Gary's obituary
Gary Lewis Krasner, 72, Advocate for Medical Freedom, Dies
Gary Krasner, a conservative health advocate and founder of the Coalition for Informed Choice (CFIC), died on May 31, 2025, in Queens, New York. He was 72.
He was born on January 17, 1953, in the Bronx, New York, to Bertha (née Fromer) and Charles Krasner.
The cause was complications related to cancer, said Irina Dzyubinsky, a close collaborator and friend.
Mr. Krasner was best known for his fierce and unrelenting opposition to mandatory vaccination policies. In 1998, he established CFIC to help New York parents obtain religious exemptions to school vaccination requirements — a daunting task in one of the most restrictive states in the country.
A Bronx native with a gift for meticulous research and legal reasoning, Mr. Krasner became a lifeline for thousands of families navigating the complex and emotionally charged intersection of health, law, and education. His exemption kits, policy briefs, and grassroots organizing efforts were widely circulated, even after New York repealed the religious exemption provision in 2019.
“Gary had a rare combination of intellectual rigor, moral conviction, and personal sacrifice,” said Ms. Dzyubinsky, who worked closely with him for over 15 years. “He didn’t just advocate for medical freedom — he lived it.”
Long before his work on vaccine mandates, Mr. Krasner was involved in anti-fluoridation activism and Natural Hygiene teachings. He was an autodidact who drew from political theory, constitutional law, and historical precedent, often writing long-form memos and letters that referenced case law and classical liberal ideals.
Though largely operating outside traditional institutions, Mr. Krasner was widely respected — and often feared — for his precision, persistence, and unwavering principles. He made regular appearances on radio, including frequent calls to WNYC’s Brian Lehrer Show, where he challenged mainstream narratives with cogent and uncompromising arguments.
Details of his early life and education were not widely shared; he preferred to let his work speak for itself.
Mr. Krasner was predeceased by his parents and his sister, Myra. Baruch Dayan HaEmet.
He is survived by several close friends, longtime collaborators, and a large network of families who credit him with helping them stand their ground in the face of government mandates.
A private burial took place on June 1 at Chesed Shel Emes Cemetery in Woodridge, New York. A memorial is planned for later this summer.
Condolences and inquiries may be sent to love@garykrasner.org. If you want to follow the progress of keeping Gary's legacy alive and contribute to our work, please visit https://gofund.me/670cd9b9
With love and gratitude.
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