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Harold Swidler Obituary
He was born in Vilna, Poland on January 1, 1935 to the late Henry and Reva (Aronovich) Swidler.
Harold was a consummate businessman; having owned the Swid Brothers Department Store; the Golf and Sports Country (now the Carlisle Sports Emporium), and 9 local Radio Stations including WIOO, WHYL and RED 102.3.
Harold was a world class distance runner as a young man and was an avid golfer. He developed a love for the game as a caddy at the former Blue Ridge Country Club, growing up in Harrisburg, and continued playing into his 80s with his buddies at the Carlisle Country Club. He resided in Carlisle but spent his winters in Florida where he was a member of Chabad of Royal Palm Beach.
Harold and his parents and siblings survived the Holocaust. He served his country in the United States Army and proudly hosted numerous IDF officers who attended the Carlisle Army War College.
In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his brother, Norman Swidler.
Surviving are his wife, Eileen (Schimel) Swidler of Carlisle; daughter, Terri Warshawsky and her husband, Bruce of Harrisburg; son, Eric Swidler and his wife, Monica of Carlisle; two stepdaughters, Erica Houser and her husband, Shawn of Doylestown, Molly Knisely of Carlisle; sister, Linda Schwab of Boynton Beach, FL; seven grandchildren, Jacob (Rachel) Warshawsky, Rebecca Warshawsky, Daniel Warshawsky, Andrew Swidler, Dylan Knisely, Mickey Knisely, Samantha Knisely and one great grandson, Benjamin Warshawsky.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, October 31, 2025 at 2 P.M. Chisuk Emuna Cemetery Chapel with Rabbi Ron Muroff officiating, burial will follow in the cemetery.
Arrangements by Hetrick-Bitner Funeral Home.
Memorial donations can be made to Chabad of Royal Palm Beach, 129 Sparrow Dr., Royal Palm Beach, FL 33411 or to Chisuk Emuna Congregation, 3219 Green St, Harrisburg, PA 17110.
To share on-line condolences, please visit www.Bitnercares.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Harold Swidler
Sponsored by Hetrick-Bitner Funeral Home, Inc. - Harrisburg.
June (Yeager) Mitten
November 8, 2025
My condolences to his wife and family. Mr. Swidler & his wife are among some very familiar people of my young memories of Shippensburg. Loved going to Swid Brothers Store with my mother, sister and brothers.
Rest in peace.
Ernie Shope
November 5, 2025
I got to know Harold and Eric when I owned Mrs. Stamms downtown location. Great guy to get to know business wise and personally!!! RIP Harold.
David Payne
November 2, 2025
My sincere condolences to the Swidler family including Eileen, Eric, Bruce and Brad. I worked at WIOO in Carlisle from 1986 to 1993, and got to know Harold very well. I learned a great deal during that time, and the memories and experiences remain with me to this day. May Harold´s memory remain with all who knew him.
Ed Mattesky
November 2, 2025
Knew Harold for many years when I still lived in Carlisle. I thought he was a great guy and we had many laughs together. RIP my friend..
Jenny Roney Baer
November 1, 2025
Thinking of you all in this sad time. Harold hired me straight out of high school in 1975 at WIOO. They were great times and I learned a lot during my time there. Rest in Peace Harold.
sally jones runciman
November 1, 2025
So sorry to hear of Harold's passing. Condolences to his whole family.
Jeff and Marcia
November 1, 2025
RIP ...a true gentleman...
Steve Banko
October 30, 2025
Harold, thank you for your service. Yours is a true American story and one of what it means to be a patriot.
You will be missed. My condolences to Eileen and to Harold's entire family. I had the pleasure to play golf with Harold for about twenty years at the Carlisle Country Club. He was an authentic and genuine guy.
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