William J. "Bill" Hirsch

The family of William “Bill” J. Hirsch is saddened to announce his passing on June 5, 2025, at the age of 101. A long-time resident of Wayne, PA and a recent resident of the Quadrangle, Haverford, PA, our dad will be missed by all that knew him. He was a diamond of a man, with uncountable facets. Among his many facets are these: loving husband of 62 years to our mother Roberta, cherished father to his children, Norma (Gary), Matthew (Cindy), Robin (Chris), honored grandfather to his grandchildren (in age order), Alex (Talia), Ethan (Nicole), Sophia (Tal), Elysia, Drew (Shaheen), Julian and Ashley and future role model for great-grandchildren, Zazie, Rimona and two soon-to-be born greats, just weeks (days?) from birth.

Other dimensions of this multifaceted centurion include: beloved son to parents Esther (Fieldman) and Reuben, kid brother to Norman (8th AF, KIA 11/26/44), Brooklynite for life, Flatbush kid, graduate of P.S. 19 and Boy’s High, a camper Camp Wah Kee Nah, a busboy Totem Lodge, a soldier-navigator, 15th Air Force, 449 BG, Grotiglie, IT (35 harrowing bombing runs), Post-war: veteran, GI Bill recipient, B.A Swarthmore College ‘49, LLM NYU Law School ’55. Contracts lawyer, General Electric (1956-72) and Sperry Univac (1972-1986). Private law practice (1987-2015).

A polymath. A skeptic. A stoic. A questioner. A connector. An organizer. Always interested in others. A reader, voracious and inquisitive. A friend to librarians. A writer, with two published books. A poet, who authored dozens of treasured birthday poems. A politically-engaged, community-minded, publicly-involved, life-long Democrat and patriot. A traveler, whose business life took him to Australia, Hong Kong, Tokyo and all of the capitals of Europe, and whose leisure travel brought him with our mother to Russia, the Galapagos, Germany, Spain, Scandinavia, Israel and other destinations of interest. A caring link to a myriad of cousins, with shared roots in the shtetls of the Pale. A sincere, committed friend, to buddies from Brooklyn, to roommates from College, to neighbors on Deepdale, to congregants from Har Zion, to tablemates at the Quadrangle. A friend to the friends of his children. A presence. A guide. An example. A mensch.

Services for Bill are private.

Donations to recognize Bill’s exemplary life may be made to Jewish War Veterans of America (jwv.org) or Friends of Tredyffrin Library (www.tredyffrinlibraries.org). Internment at Haym Solomon, Frazer alongside wife Roberta. May his memory be passed on to the generations, and be a blessing over us.

Arrangements by Joseph Levine & Sons - www.levinefuneral.com