Charles S. Hirsch

HIRSCH
Charles S., 79, of Park Ridge, NJ passed away on Thursday, April 8, 2016. Born in Chicago, Illinois, the son of Dorothy Gurevitz and Max Hirsch, who was an electrician. Beloved husband of the late Marie-Claude for 41 years. Devoted father of Sophie Ghiraldini and cherished grandfather of Griffin and Spencer. Predeceased by his brother Ira Hirsch.
Charles grew up in Chicago and graduated in 1962 from the University of Illinois College of Medicine and went on to do his residency at Case Western Reserve in Cleveland, Ohio. After completing his fellowships in Neuropathology and Forensic Pathology in Baltimore, Maryland, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force Medical Corps. and was based in Germany. It was in Germany where he met his wife, Marie-Claude, a French woman who was working as a civilian for an Air Force dentist. They married in October, 1969 and had a true partnership and loving marriage until she passed in January, 2010.
His career began as the Deputy Coroner of Cuyhaoga County, Cleveland, Ohio. In 1979 he became the Director of Forensic Pathology for Hamilton County, Cincinnati, Ohio and then in 1985 they moved to Long Island where he was the Chief Medical Examiner of Suffolk County.
In 1988 Mayor, Edward Koch appointed Charles Hirsch as New York City's Chief Medical Examiner where he served for 25 years. Throughout that time he was also the Chairman of the Department of Forensic Medicine and Professor of Pathology at NYU Medical School.
Charles was the recipient of numerous honors and awards throughout his career and had the pleasure of being the commencement speaker at his Alma Mater, University of Illinois, College of Medicine in 2003.
A participant in numerous medical societies and organizations, he was a proud member of The American Board of Pathology for 12 years when he ended his tenure as President and was elected a Life Trustee.
During his time as Chief Medical Examiner of NYC he is credited with building the finest public forensic DNA crime laboratory in the country. He led the office through the 9/11 World Trade Center tragedy, using DNA to identify the victims and helped the families through their terrible grief. In 2014 that new state of the art DNA lab located at 421 E. 26th St. was named The Charles S. Hirsch Center for Forensic Sciences in his honor.
He retired in 2014 as NYC's longest serving Chief Medical Examiner. In retirement, Charles led a quiet, content life taking great pleasure in his regular routine. Reading newspapers, listening to classical music, spending time with his daughter and driving his grandchildren wherever they needed to go, gave him so much happiness. He always loved dogs and was particularly fond of his Wheaton Terrier, Zoe who he adored for 15 years.
A kinder soul would be hard to find. He devoted his life to his family and to public service, "Science serving justice". He will be greatly missed.
Visitation Tuesday and Wednesday 6 to 8 pm at the Robert spearing Funeral Home, Inc., 155 Kinderkamack Road, Park Ridge, NJ. rsfhi.com, Interment private at George Washington Memorial Park, Paramus, NJ. In lieu of flowers, a contribution to Angels for Animals Network, a local no-kill animal rescue group would be appreciated.