Harold "Hal" Kaplan

1936 - 2023

Harold "Hal" Kaplan, 87, of Middletown, Connecticut, passed away peacefully at home on April 23, 2023. He was born in New Haven, Connecticut, on January 21, 1936, to the late Morris and Fannie (Jacobs) Kaplan. Harold cherished the strong bonds he had with his two sisters and brother (all predeceased): Edith Kabatznick and the late Abner Kabatznick; Shirley Fleischer and the late Elliot Fleischer; and William Kaplan and the late Tillie Kaplan.

In his final days, Harold was surrounded by his loving and devoted family, which includes his wife of 62 years, Dorothy (Cotzen) Kaplan, who never left his side for the past 11 years following his stroke in 2012; a son, Michael J. Kaplan and his wife Judy (Pistulka) Kaplan of Middletown; a daughter, Julie B. Kaplan and her husband Uwe Mester of Charlotte, Vermont; and his grandchildren Zoe Kaplan, Luka Mester, and Shana Mester, who were the light of his life. Nothing brought Harold more joy than being "Grampy" and "Hee-Bee" to his grandchildren. He also leaves behind several beloved nieces and nephews and their extended families, all of whom were very dear to him.

Harold received his education in New Haven, graduating from Hillhouse High School in 1953. He received a BS from Quinnipiac College in 1957, and an MS from Southern Connecticut State University in 1962. If his first love was his family, his second love was his job as an educator and school principal. Harold's professional experience began in Middletown as a Grade 6 teacher at Eckersley Hall School in 1958, and in 1959 he started Middletown's first class for special needs children at Spencer School. After five years teaching Grade 6 at Spencer School, he began his career as an elementary school principal within the Middletown school district. In 1972, Harold was named the first principal of the brand-new Wesley Elementary School where his own kids were also students (and perhaps a touch less thrilled about having dad as their principal). A highlight of his career was his tenure as principal of Lawrence Elementary School that began in 1978 and lasted until his retirement in 1995, when the road leading to the school was officially named "Kaplan Drive."

Throughout his years in Middletown, Harold was an engaged member of the community through his membership in several civic and professional organizations, including the Jaycees, Civitan, the Democratic Town Committee, and the Youth Services Commission.

Even in retirement, his commitment to education continued. He taught at Middletown Adult Education, and was asked to lead the Middletown Mentor Program, which was subsequently renamed the Hal Kaplan Middletown Mentor Program in recognition of his dedication to the students of Middletown.

Harold loved and inspired his teachers and students, serving as a beloved and impactful mentor and friend to so many. He will always be remembered for his quick wit, generosity, kindness, and love for his family and friends.

Harold's greatest gift to all he touched is his example of a life well-lived, and his legacy is that he left the world a kinder, gentler place for having been a part of it.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, April 26, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. at Congregation Adath Israel Synagogue, 8 Broad Street, Middletown, CT. In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution in Harold's name to Middlesex Health Hospice Program, 28 Crescent Street, Middletown, CT 06457 (www.middlesexhealth.org) or Congregation Adath Israel Synagogue, PO Box 337, Middletown, CT 06457 (www.adathisraelct.org). To share memories or express condolences online, please visit www.doolittlefuneralservice.com.