Harold Obstler
November 7, 1925 ~ April 22, 2021
Born in:
New York City, NY
Resided in:
Hamden, CT
Harold Obstler passed away on Thursday, April 22, 2021 at the age of 95. He did so peacefully on his own terms, with dignity, grace, courage, kindness, and as always, humor, in the company of the family he loved so much. Harold’s was a life well lived. We will miss him.
Harold was born and raised in New York City. He graduated from Columbia University, served in WWII, and after leaving the service, travelled and studied in post-war Europe, where he had a chance encounter with Tennessee Williams. Upon his return to the United States, Harold attended Yale Law School, where he met and fell in love with Mimi Obstler, his wife and best friend for 62 years.
In 1954, Harold moved back to New York with Mimi, where they raised a family and had many wonderful times with an incredible and eclectic village of lifelong friends on Manhattan’s Upper West Side. An original 1962 member of Mets Nation, he donned the blue and orange and shared LGM! times with his family and friends for all 59 years.
In 1989, after practicing law for 37 years, including a long tenure as the General Counsel of the Colgate Palmolive Company, Harold retired with Mimi to Old Lyme to pursue other interests, including his unrelenting passion for writing. In 2016, after Mimi passed, Harold dedicated himself to reading every published novel and short story by Henry James. In Mimi’s honor, he then wrote and published a beautiful essay, “Living and Dying with Henry James.”
Harold is survived by his two sons; Peter and Andrew, his daughters-in-law; Ellen and Samantha, his five grandchildren; Dylan, Dara, Aidan, Oliver, and Sydney Bell, his grandsons-in-law; Mike and Pete, and his two great-grandchildren; Micah and Ocean.
To all of you who touched or were touched by Harold, we thank you and you will forever remain in our hearts and memories of him. A memorial service in Harold’s honor will be scheduled for family and friends later this summer. Arrangements are in care of Beecher & Bennett Funeral Home, 2300 Whitney Avenue, Hamden.
What a wonderful life well lived. Our deepest sympathies to Mr. Obstler’s family and especially Peter, Ellen, Dylan and Dara. May his memory bring a smile to your face and warmth to your heart. Howie and Jill Levine
What a wonderful life well lived. Our deepest sympathy to the Obstler family and especially to Peter, Ellen, Dylan and Dara. May his memory bring warmth to your heart and a smile to your face. With much love, Howie and Jill Levine
Where do I begin? Well, first of all, it was a pleasure and honor to know a man who was loved and respected by all. I will miss him so much. He lived a long wonderful and happy life. I remember when I met Hal. It was at the Hamden Dog Park. He would go there everyday with his dog Orson. I was only there 3 days a week and I always looked forward to seeing Hal and Orson. As we got to know each other, he then asked me if I could help out with Orson whenever he he went out. Then some time went by and he wasn’t able to care for Orson anymore so he asked me if I could take him and give him a good home and lots of love. I didn’t hesitate. I said yes!! I have 2 dogs of my own and Orson fit right in like part of the family. Hal was getting on in age and needed help for himself. He turned to me. I became his personal assistant. I would run errands, take him to appointments, help with computer work etc. I would also make lunch and we would have dinners together.
Like I said, I will miss him, but at least he’s at peace. So long my dear friend.
Love, Annie
Happy Birthday Hal,
I can’t believe it’s been 2 years already.
I miss you so much especially meeting up with you and Orson at The Dog Park, lunches, dinners and conversation. I still have Orson. I wish you can see him now. He’s doing pretty good for 13 years old. Well, I don’t know what else to say.
❤️ Annie