Harold Rosenthal was born on November 18,1919 in Akron, OH. He was the third of four children born to his immigrant parents, Meyer and Yetta (nee Cohen) Rosenthal. Harold played softball and basketball for the Akron Jewish Center through high school, then enrolled in the University of Akron where he studied Accounting and was the starting guard on the varsity basketball team. His college studies were cut short when the United States entered WWII and he served in the Army, primarily at a weather-reporting station in India. His father passed away during his time in service and he returned to Akron upon his honorable discharge to care for his widowed mother. Harold worked until his retirement as the bookkeeper and finance manager for a local used car lot. In 1971, he was inducted into the Akron Jewish Sports Hall of Fame as part of its inaugural class. Although he never married, Harold invested himself in the lives of his three nieces and one nephew. He cared for each of his siblings (Ruth, Sidney and Judith) until their respective deaths. Harold lived independently until April of 2019. He celebrated his 100th birthday with family gathered around him in November of 2019 and passed away on February 23, 2020. He was a selfless, kind, and humble man who always put the needs of his family ahead of his own. He is preceded in death by his beloved parents, his brother-in-law Meyer Rich, his eldest sister, Ruth Rich, his older brother Sidney, and his youngest sister Judith Gerrard. He will be remembered by his nieces Margy Rich, Joyce (nee Rich)(Charles) Tiber, Marcy (nee Gerrard)( Christopher) Kotting , his nephew Jeffrey (Kathleen) Gerrard, and his great niece Tatyana Kotting, as well as his surviving cousins, friends and the countless people whose lives were touched by his presence.
No services will be held and the family requests that no flowers be sent. For those who wish to honor his memory, feel free to donate to the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society (HIAS), the Akron Jewish Center, or to a charity of your choice.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18