Obituary of Harold Gruber

Harold L. Gruber, 64, of Red Hook, NY, passed away unexpectedly (and, as those who know him well might say, inappropriately!), on Friday, September 1, 2017 at Northern Dutchess Hospital in Rhinebeck.

 

Brooklyn born and bred, Harold was born in 1953 in Brooklyn Jewish hospital to Ada (Brumer) Gruber of Manalapan, NJ and the late Arthur Gruber. He attended elementary school in Brooklyn and Samuel J. Tilden high school in Brooklyn. He attended Brooklyn college, graduating in 1969, and lastly, Brooklyn Law school, graduating in 1972. Harold married Elizabeth Pagano in Galloway, NJ, and Beth survives at home in Red Hook.

 

In addition to his loving wife and mother, he is survived by his son, Alexander Gruber of Red Hook, NY, his brother, Michael Gruber of Olyphant, NJ, along with extended family and countless friends and colleagues.

 

Harold spent many years in the Kings County District Attorney's Office. Harold was such a unique presence in the DA's office during his time there that they put him in his own bureau just to try the cases that no one else wanted to bring in front of a judge. The high point of his career was appearing for 10 minutes to ask for an adjournment in the Son of Sam case. He left the DA's office in 1983 to open his own law practice with a focus on real estate.

 

Harold never actually left Brooklyn until he moved to the charming little Village of Red Hook, New York in 1995 and, with his wife Elizabeth, opened the Grand Dutchess bed and breakfast. In addition to his law practice, Harold and Elizabeth ran the Red Hook Inn from 2001 through 2004. Harold was also the attorney advisor to the Red Hook High School Mock Trial team, an organization through which he proudly trained many adolescents in his particular style of litigation. He was also active in Boy Scout Troop 42 in Red Hook, where he taught several merit badges in citizenship and law and was a member of troop committee. He is famed for his staged re-enactments of battles, such as the Battle of Concord snowball fight. Harold was a member of the Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA) for more than 30 years and fought under the name Owain of Lyonesse. He was proud of his ability to carry the heaviest weapons on the field and of the dents in his armor.

 

Those who know Harold will never forget his wit, his humor (always off-color and inappropriate!), his opinions (never withheld!) and the way he cared for those he loved.

"To those who knew or worked with him, he has always been a very true, trusted, and loyal friend who will be dearly missed."

Friends may call at the Burnett & White Funeral Homes in Red Hook on Wednesday, September 6th, 2017 from 6-8 PM. Services will be held at 8 pm. Interment will be private.

 

Memorial donations may be made in Harold's memory to Boy Scout Troop 42 (c/o Rob DuPont, 95 Deer Run Road, Red Hook, NY 12571) or the American Heart Association.

 

Arrangements are under the direction of Burnett & White Funeral Homes 7461 S. Broadway, Red Hook, NY.

 

For directions, or to sign the online guest book, please visit www.Burnett-White.com.

To read the full obituary, please click here: http://burnett-white.com/tribute/details/3071/Harold-Gruber/obituary.html#tribute-start

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