Harold Umansky

Harold Umansky

AGE: 83 • Plainfield

Harold Umansky, age 83, died peacefully Tuesday, January 17, 2012 at JFK Haven Hospice in Edison, NJ. Harold was born in the Bronx and raised in Corona, Queens. He met his wife of 60 years, Thelma, at a square dance and they were married in 1951. After graduating from the City College of New York, he served in the United States Army, and was stationed for two years in Utah. After his military service he moved to Irvington, NJ, then Toledo, OH and finally, in 1964, Plainfield, NJ where he has lived ever since.

Harold was an engaged member of his community. He has been actively involved with Temple Sholom since 1962. A supporter of Democratic politics in Plainfield, he served as Committee Chairman for the Democratic Party. He was also chairman of the Plainfield Planning Board for six years, a member of the board for a local psychiatric hospital, and Master of Cub Scout Pack 18 for three years. Mr. Umansky loved traveling and bird watching, and took pictures of his many voyages around the world. In 1997 he made a special trip to Antarctica to see penguins, his favorite bird. An avid reader, he devoured science fiction and history, loved music, particularly Mozart, and was a dedicated patron of the Mostly Mozart concert series. He was a lifelong Yankee fan and tempered his passion for healthy living with peanut M&Ms.

He is predeceased by his son, Richard B. Umansky in 2003. Surviving are his wife, Thelma Groschefsky Umansky, his children, Mark D. Umansky, Paula L. Fairchild and her husband William, Paul J. Umansky and his wife Lisa, and his grandchildren, Sarah and Sam Fairchild and Emily and Hannah Umansky.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, January 19, 2012 at 11:30 am at Higgins Home for Funerals, 209 West 8th Street, Plainfield, followed by the interment at Mt. Lebanon Cemetery, Iselin. To send condolences please go to www.higginsfuneralhome.com.