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John Henry Hirsh M.D.

John Hirsh Obituary

Hirsh, John Henry M.D., F.A.C.S., 83, died June 15, at home surrounded by his loving family. He was brave and uncomplaining even as he fought a long battle against multiple sclerosis and finally cancer. He was born in New York City on December 7, 1921, the son of Frederick Rudolf Hirsh and Elsie Scheel Hirsh. He attended Mt. Herman School in Mass. and graduated from A.B. Davis High School in Mt. Vernon, NY in 1939. While he and his friends were at Radio City Music Hall seeing the movie "Suspicion" the news came over the teletype that the Japanese had bombed Pearl Harbor. It changed all of their lives. He enlisted in the Army and served his country in India as part of the China, Burma, India campaign. After the war he graduated from the University of Florida with a B.S. degree in 1949. He then earned his M.D. degree from New York Medical College in 1953. He then interned and did his surgical residency at Grasslands Hospital in Valhalla, NY, where he met his dear wife, Jean, a student nurse. He came to Ft. Lauderdale in 1958 pulling a U-Haul trailer full of books. His first job was looking after the Beach Hospital for Dr. Amato, the founder and former Mt. Vernon resident, who was on vacation in Italy. He then had a private surgical practice in Ft. Lauderdale for 30 years. He was honest, enjoyed a good story, crossword puzzles, and all things humorous. He loved his family, his patients, and his friends. He especially enjoyed the conversations in the surgeon's lounge at Broward General Hospital from which he thought all wisdom sprang. His biggest interest outside of medicine was creative writing, He wrote many articles, short stories, letters to the editor, and especially poetry. He played bridge at Ft. Lauderdale Bridge Club and even wrote a few poems about the experience. He is survived by his beloved wife, Jean, and their four children. Karen Meredith (Mike), Laura Hirsh, Jennifer Wiley (Doug) and John Hirsh (Tracy) and their 10 grandchildren, Daniel, Alyssa, Andrew, Sarah, Laura, Kristen, Katherine, Sophie, John and Emma. A Memorial Service will be held at 10 AM Saturday June 26th at 1st Presbyterian Church, 401 SE 15 Ave., Ft. Lauderdale.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Sun-Sentinel on Jun. 18, 2004.

Memories and Condolences
for John Hirsh

Not sure what to say?





Audrey Mannoni

July 1, 2004

Dear Laura,



Thank you for thinking of me. I was just able to read your message today because I had changed my email address and I apologize for not being able to attend your father's services.



My sincere condolences to you and your family. I actually got chills when I read of your father's life, and from what you told me, I already understood that he was an exceptional person. Hoping that you may find some comfort in the thought that I care.



Love,

Audrey

RUTH ANNE (SUMNER) KEESE

June 25, 2004

TO THE FAMILY OF JOHN HIRSH: MY SYMPATHIES TO ALL OF YOU. I ONLY KNEW JOHN THROUGH MY FATHER, ROBERT SUMNER. HE TALKED ABOUT HIM WITH DEEP AFFECTION. HE CONSIDERED HIM TO BE A GOOD FRIEND AND MAINTAINED THAT FRIENDSHIP FOR HIS ENTIRE LIFE. DAD DID NOT WANT TO MAKE THE TRIP DOWN FOR THE SERVICE ALONE, SO HE WILL BE THINKING OF YOU ON THAT DAY. HE SOUNDED LIKE A WONDERFUL, INTERESTING AND COMPASSIONATE GENTLEMAN--WISH I HAD KNOWN HIM BETTER. SINCERELY, RUTH ANNE KEESE

Sally Berdos

June 25, 2004

My sincerest condolences on the

death of your father, a long ago

employer and a long time friend.

I am very saddened by the news but

not surprised as I know he struggled with the MS for many years but was unaware of the cancer. His excellent surgical skills were not unfamiliar to myself and my family, we wouldn't have thought to have anyone else

"operate". So sorry he is gone but his legacy will live on in each of you children. My deepest sympathy and fondest regards to all the family.



Sally (Hickey) Berdos

Cathy McIntosh

June 20, 2004

John and Tracy, I am very sorry to
hear about the passing of Dr Hirsh.
A wonderful Father, Father-In-Law,
and Grandfather. I know you will miss him terribly.

Manu and Sushila Patel

June 19, 2004

Our sincere condolences to dear Laura and family. We pray that his soul rests in peace in heaven.

Wayne and Karen D'Amico

June 19, 2004

Dear Laura- we are truly sorry about your father's death. The obituary was very touching and gave some insight into the type of man your father was. He seems like the type of individual who touched many people's lives and will be deeply missed by many. Wayne and Karen

Robert Brenner

June 18, 2004

Jean, I'm so sorry to read of Johns death in the Sun Sentinel web site. We go back such a long way together, and it all seems like only yesterday, the time has gone so fast. I'm sorry ,too, that we didn't manage to get together at least occassionally during all that time. We all thought a lot of John, and admired his courage and humor, as well as his surgical skills. I wish I could be there for the funeral. My thoughts and prayers will be with you and the family. Bob

Eleanor & Paul Havekotte

June 18, 2004

As friends of Laura's for the last few years, we wish to offer our sympathy and prayers to the family.

Ruth Sember

June 18, 2004

Though I never met Dr. Hirsh, I have met his daughter Laura. Laura is a wonderfully bright, warm hearted person with an imaginative sense of humor. I am sure Laura is a tribute to her father's legacy.

May the love of family and close friends bring you comfort.

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