Paul Alan Hersh, aged 73, peacefully passed away at 7:29 on Friday morning November 5, 2021 at Calvary Hospital in the Bronx as the song “Far Away” by Lunar Skybox played softly in the morning light. Paul faced the challenges of preparing for the end of life with grace and courage only months after hisContinue Reading
Paul Alan Hersh, aged 73, peacefully passed away at 7:29 on Friday morning November 5, 2021 at Calvary Hospital in the Bronx as the song “Far Away” by Lunar Skybox played softly in the morning light. Paul faced the challenges of preparing for the end of life with grace and courage only months after his beloved wife of 45 years, Linda, passed away on June 11, 2021. Paul courageously, compassionately, and steadily faced his early mortality while accepting his body’s limitations walking each step of the way with his family with so many beloved friends by his side. We are grateful for all of you.
Paul was born, May 26, 1948, at Unity Hospital in Brooklyn, New York, the son of Robert Hersh and Bernice Hersh Podgora. His family, including his sister Susan, moved from Brooklyn to Wantagh, New York. From an early age,Paul had a special relationship with birds. The Hersh family had several parakeets throughout their life. A favorite memory that shaped his love of birds occurred at his childhood home. At the age of 13, Paul nursed a young robin, injured by a cat, back to health. He named the robin Beep-Beep, and the robin came back to him three times a day for a few seasons. Through compassion he and Beep Beep formed a special bond. The story of Beep-Beep and Paul was printed in the Long Island Press on July 26, 1961. Paul graduated from MacArthur High School in Levittown, in 1966,where he excelled at basketball and wrestling.
In his 20’s, Paul worked at May’s Department store in the record department where he made wonderful life long friends who are loved like family. As a young man, Paul met his future wife, Linda who waitressed (near or at May’s Department Store). Paul and Linda fell in love and were married for one day shy of 45 years. They brought two daughters into the world, Laura and Michelle. Paul and Linda were very much in love and shared a lifetime of beautiful memories and laughter. Paul now joins his beloved wife in the next life peacefully together.
Paul was a committed provider to his family, friends, and community. He proudly served as a Nassau County Police Officer for 20 years. Paul faithfully and proudly served his community from October 9, 1970 to April 5 1990 in the Training Division, First Precinct, Highway Patrol Bureau, Fifth Precinct, Communications Bureau, Court Liaison Office, and Records Bureau. Paul was also a member of the Nassau County Police Benevolent Association.
Notably, Paul graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree from New York Institute of Technology and also from The Financial Planning Program as a Certified Financial Planner from Adelphi University.
Paul valued the present moment and quality time with his family and friends. Paul,Linda, Laura, and Michelle adventured locally on the weekends around Long Island as well as cross country. Paul fostered his families’ love and appreciation of living in the present moment by appreciating the simple things like eating clam chowder at Jones Beach after a winter storm while seagulls eat french fries off their heads.
Paul was an amazing dad. His daughters’ favorite childhood memories are eating snow covered in chocolate syrup in 1985, dancing in the living room to loud music to Micheal Jackson’s Thriller (dad did a scary Vincent Price impersonation with a flashlight) and the Beach Boys, cozying up to watch movies, learning how to ride a bikes and drive cars and sliding ghost (a game we played sliding down dad’s back while he was covered with a green blanket, then we ran away). As they grew into young women, Paul taught them how to show integrity, responsibility, generosity and to enjoy the simple things. Laura and Michelle could always count on Paul to show up to life’s important events – sports games, art openings, recitals and milestones, beaming with pride all the while. Most of all – everyone who knew him could count on a laugh and a good time.
Paul loved to golf with his friends. Please keep his memory alive by honoring one of his dying wishes to be remembered as you golf on the 18th hole of the Bethpage Black Course at Bethpage State Park.
Paul also had a special relationship with the natural world through the lens of photography. He learned photography early on with his friend from childhood, Bob Rhode. Developing his skill, Paul’s photographs stood out at the Long Island Camera Club where many of his photographs won awards and honorable mentions. Paul went everywhere in the 70’s and early 80’s with his Cannon manual camera. He traded the Cannon in (to Laura and Michelle) for several smaller digital cameras and video cameras (at first renting a very large size and later owning several camcorders) capturing every moment of our lives. We have about 42 full DVD’s of footage of 8mm film from the 1950’s all the way to the present day. Hundreds of hours of footage that Dad dutifully transferred personally in our wood paneled basement that will forever be encapsulated in 1989. We love you dad. Because of you we are loved and are better people. You Please know you are loved and appreciated and will be remembered forever in our hearts, words, and actions. Thank you for your love, light, and laughter. We love you and Linda forever. May you rest in Peace.
Paul is predeceased by his beloved wife Linda, father Robert Hersh and mother Bernice Hersh Podgora.
Paul is survived by his beloved daughter Laura Hersh of Woodinville, WA. and her fiance Brian Harris, daughter Michelle Klass and her husband Ray Klass, granddaughters Jolie and Marina of Mahopac N.Y, and sister Susan Farrell and her husband Michael Farrell.
edward connolly
left a message on March 24, 2022:
Paul was a great man and friend!
Laura Hersh
left a message on November 17, 2021:
Dear mom and dad, I’m flying back to Washington and missing you both so much. I’m listening to songs like the trapeze swinger by iron and wine and thinking of you and holding you in my heart. Thank you for every moment- every memory. I wish I could be 5 again with you both playing in the house. I love you and all the sights smells and moments are with me. I’m especially grateful for my memories with you dad all the way to your last breath. Thank you for loving me. I’m grateful to be born of your love
Love always
Your daughter Laura
Judy Miller Rothenberg
left a message on November 14, 2021:
Dear Sue and all the rest of Paul’s family,
I was so very sad to hear this news. I remember Paul from all my school days. It was so nice to reconnect with him on fb and at the MacArthur reunion. He was so kind and his ready smile was a welcomed gift! Rest in peace Paul. I know your memory will live on in those who you loved and who loved you!
Therese Shady
left a message on November 12, 2021:
I first met Paul years ago when he was in the NCPD Academy with my brother-in-law Tom Lamb. Fortunately I reconnected with Paul and got to know Linda as well when I retired and moved to Florida. They first visited me in St Augustine when my sister Rosemary was visiting me there. Having Paul and Linda over was like having a visit from George Burns and Gracie Allen. We laughed so hard my ribs ached. I got to witness them both experience their first Segway rides—Paul spinning around in circles and riding like a madman and Linda figuring Paul would end up in the river. Every visit was full of fun times playing board games, eating out, and golfing after I relocated to the Villages.
Now they are back together and no doubt making everyone laugh in the great beyond. They brought joy and laughter and support and compassion to all who were privileged to know them. They live on in so many wonderful memories.
Steve Holly
left a message on November 8, 2021:
Paul, You were a very good man. Rest In Peace with your Sweet Linda. God bless you, Linda, your daughters, granddaughters, and your entire family.
Peace of mind is a call away. We’re here when you need us most.
Anna Aurrichio
left a message on November 8, 2021:
In memory of Paul Alan Hersh, Anna Aurrichio lit a candle
Rosemary Lamb
left a message on November 7, 2021:
To Laura Michelle and family. I am so sorry for the loss of your Dad. He was an amazing person. My Tom met Paul at the Police Academy and were friends along time. He was always so much fun and a jokester. Your Dad is now with your Mom and is making people laugh in heaven. I will always remember the fun times we all had together. You both were so lucky to have such amazing parents that loved you so much. I remember those many days that we got together when you were little. My thoughts and prayers are with you both and your family. Paul left a great mark on the world. He will be missed.
Melinda, Ed, and Bill
left a message on November 7, 2021:
You and Linda are enormously missed. All the good times we shared will be forever in our memories and our hearts. Rest well my friend!
Michelle Klass
left a message on November 7, 2021:
Dear Dad,
I miss you so much. It's strange being in your house without you and mom. You both took so much pride in your home and all of the many many many memories we built here. Thank you for allowing us help you all of these months. You are all heart dad...you have showed us so much care and love, we all couldn't help ourselves but to give it back to you. I will carry you and mom with me all of my days. I miss you both so much. I am sure you and mom are together and up to some shenanigans. I'm so glad you both brought each other laughter and joy every day.
I love you always and forever Michelle
Madeline Rivera
left a message on November 6, 2021:
In memory of Paul Alan Hersh, Madeline Rivera lit a candle
Ed and Diane Smith
left a message on November 6, 2021:
Paul, I have few dear friends. You are at the top of the list. I will always remember all of the Mets Opening Day games we attended. I will never forget the last one. Mets Spring Training at Port St. Lucie. It was a great day! Always in our hearts. RIP.
Kathy Carucci
left a message on November 6, 2021:
Oh, Paul…. I am so sorry you had to leave this world so soon. You didn’t even get the chance to mourn for your Linda. But, now you’re with her, so the two of you can continue on forever. I will miss your light hearted silliness and your ability to crack a funny joke at almost anything. You made so many memories with your family and friends, and I am sure we will all smile at those as we think of you and Linda in the days and years to come. I am so sorry for my BFF Sue, as she deals with the loss of her big brother… Rest in Peace, my friends….I love you. ? kathy
Massapequa Funeral Home
left a message:
Please accept our deepest condolences for your family's loss.
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edward connolly
left a message on March 24, 2022:
Paul was a great man and friend!
Laura Hersh
left a message on November 17, 2021:
Dear mom and dad, I’m flying back to Washington and missing you both so much. I’m listening to songs like the trapeze swinger by iron and wine and thinking of you and holding you in my heart. Thank you for every moment- every memory. I wish I could be 5 again with you both playing in the house. I love you and all the sights smells and moments are with me. I’m especially grateful for my memories with you dad all the way to your last breath. Thank you for loving me. I’m grateful to be born of your love
Love always
Your daughter Laura
Judy Miller Rothenberg
left a message on November 14, 2021:
Dear Sue and all the rest of Paul’s family,
I was so very sad to hear this news. I remember Paul from all my school days. It was so nice to reconnect with him on fb and at the MacArthur reunion. He was so kind and his ready smile was a welcomed gift! Rest in peace Paul. I know your memory will live on in those who you loved and who loved you!
Therese Shady
left a message on November 12, 2021:
I first met Paul years ago when he was in the NCPD Academy with my brother-in-law Tom Lamb. Fortunately I reconnected with Paul and got to know Linda as well when I retired and moved to Florida. They first visited me in St Augustine when my sister Rosemary was visiting me there. Having Paul and Linda over was like having a visit from George Burns and Gracie Allen. We laughed so hard my ribs ached. I got to witness them both experience their first Segway rides—Paul spinning around in circles and riding like a madman and Linda figuring Paul would end up in the river. Every visit was full of fun times playing board games, eating out, and golfing after I relocated to the Villages.
Now they are back together and no doubt making everyone laugh in the great beyond. They brought joy and laughter and support and compassion to all who were privileged to know them. They live on in so many wonderful memories.
Steve Holly
left a message on November 8, 2021:
Paul, You were a very good man. Rest In Peace with your Sweet Linda. God bless you, Linda, your daughters, granddaughters, and your entire family.
Peace of mind is a call away. We’re here when you need us most.
Anna Aurrichio
left a message on November 8, 2021:
In memory of Paul Alan Hersh, Anna Aurrichio lit a candle
Rosemary Lamb
left a message on November 7, 2021:
To Laura Michelle and family. I am so sorry for the loss of your Dad. He was an amazing person. My Tom met Paul at the Police Academy and were friends along time. He was always so much fun and a jokester. Your Dad is now with your Mom and is making people laugh in heaven. I will always remember the fun times we all had together. You both were so lucky to have such amazing parents that loved you so much. I remember those many days that we got together when you were little. My thoughts and prayers are with you both and your family. Paul left a great mark on the world. He will be missed.
Melinda, Ed, and Bill
left a message on November 7, 2021:
You and Linda are enormously missed. All the good times we shared will be forever in our memories and our hearts. Rest well my friend!
Michelle Klass
left a message on November 7, 2021:
Dear Dad,
I miss you so much. It's strange being in your house without you and mom. You both took so much pride in your home and all of the many many many memories we built here. Thank you for allowing us help you all of these months. You are all heart dad...you have showed us so much care and love, we all couldn't help ourselves but to give it back to you. I will carry you and mom with me all of my days. I miss you both so much. I am sure you and mom are together and up to some shenanigans. I'm so glad you both brought each other laughter and joy every day.
I love you always and forever Michelle
Madeline Rivera
left a message on November 6, 2021:
In memory of Paul Alan Hersh, Madeline Rivera lit a candle
Ed and Diane Smith
left a message on November 6, 2021:
Paul, I have few dear friends. You are at the top of the list. I will always remember all of the Mets Opening Day games we attended. I will never forget the last one. Mets Spring Training at Port St. Lucie. It was a great day! Always in our hearts. RIP.
Kathy Carucci
left a message on November 6, 2021:
Oh, Paul…. I am so sorry you had to leave this world so soon. You didn’t even get the chance to mourn for your Linda. But, now you’re with her, so the two of you can continue on forever. I will miss your light hearted silliness and your ability to crack a funny joke at almost anything. You made so many memories with your family and friends, and I am sure we will all smile at those as we think of you and Linda in the days and years to come. I am so sorry for my BFF Sue, as she deals with the loss of her big brother… Rest in Peace, my friends….I love you. ? kathy
Massapequa Funeral Home
left a message:
Please accept our deepest condolences for your family's loss.
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