Harold Trachtenburg

Harold Trachtenburg, a resident of Stamford since 1951 died Friday, June 21, at the Stamford Hospital. He was born in Danbury, CT on September 17, 1927 to Jacob and Anna Shalita Trachtenburg. He graduated from Danbury High School in 1945 and enrolled in Tufts University. He served in the U.S. Army Medical Corps as a member of the Army of Occupation in Italy (1946-1947). He later returned to Tufts University to complete his undergraduate work and graduated in 1950.

On October 13, 1951 he married Carolyn Vitti. That same year he joined American Cyanamid as a research chemist. In 1955 he embarked on a career in education, teaching math and science at J.M. Wright Technical School in Stamford, CT. In 1961 he graduated from the University of Bridgeport with a master’s degree in education. Over the next thirty-one years, he taught mathematics at Central Middle School in Greenwich, CT. During this tenure there, he received six National Science Foundation grants: Tufts University (1959), University of Southern California (1961), University of Illinois (1962 and 1965), and Yeshiva University (1964). In 1965 he received his sixth year certificate in mathematics.

While at Central Middle School, he enjoyed coaching the Boys’ and the Girls’ track teams. For many years he served as Head of the Mathematics Department and for two of those years he was the Coordinator of Mathematics for the three middle schools in Greenwich. He was awarded the Distinguished Teacher Award in 1987. He retired in 1992. After his retirement he continued to tutor math – teaching young people was still dear to his heart. He and Carolyn were world travelers. Harold was a passionate cook and gardener.

He is predeceased by his brothers Martin and Leonard, a sister Eleanor Caram and a nephew Richard Gibson Trachtenburg. He is survived by his devoted wife of 61 years, Carolyn, brothers-in-law Anthony Vitti and Michael Dante; sisters-in-law Rose Sette, Yolande Horan; nephews Marc Trachtenburg, Richard Horan, John Sette and John Vitti; nieces Lorri Keeney, Debbie Horan Ferrer, Kristin Vitti Pierce, Mary Sette, Lise Trachtenburg, grand nephew Matthew Ferrer, grand nieces Jennifer Foster, Susannah Ferrer, Katherine Horan, Evelyn Horan and Joan Trachtenburg.

A private funeral service was held in Old Saybrook and officiated by Rabbi Rachel Goldenberg. A memorial service will be held on Sunday September 15, 2013 at 2:00 pm at Temple Sholom 300 East Putnam Ave., Greenwich, CT 06830. 203.869.7191 In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research at Church Street Station, PO Box 780, New York, NY 10008-0780; or to Dana’s Angels Research Trust (D.A.R.T.), Greenwich, CT 06830.