Harvey Fersten

Harvey Irwin Fersten, lovingly known as Grandpa Harvey, passed away on Thursday, January 11, 2024 at the age of 86. He was born on May 8, 1937 in The Bronx, New York to Claire and Sidney Fersten. Harvey received a bachelor’s degree from Ithaca College and a master’s degree from Columbia University. He taught at Cornell University, Cooper Union College, and New York City Schools. He met the love of his life, Rochelle, at summer camp when she was 17 and he was 20. They married in 1960 and were happily married for 35 years until her passing in 1996. Harvey spent his career in sales. In his early career, he was VP of Cole Supply for 20 years and in 1975 he and Rochelle established a jewelry company, Select Imports, which prospered for more than 20 years. Harvey’s two favorite pastimes were tennis and fishing. His most memorable adventure was the 1964 shark expedition where he caught a world record, Great White Shark in Montauk, New York. This story served as the inspiration for Peter Benchley’s book and movie, Jaws. For the last 25 years, Harvey enjoyed spending summers in La Jolla, California with his longtime sweetheart, JoBeth Moss. Whenever he gathered with his children, grandchildren, and family, it was lovingly known as “Camp Harvey”. He loved doing for others and found joy in giving, rather than receiving. Harvey was preceded in death by his parents, Claire and Sidney Fersten, his mother and father-in-law, Edith and Murray Klein, and his sister-in-law Phyllis Fersten and his brother-in-law Larry Freed. He is survived by his children Michelle and Brent Fredricks, David Fersten, grandchildren Mia Fredricks and Reed Fredricks; brother Gary Fersten, and nieces and nephews Andrew Fersten, Eric and Bobbie Jo Fersten, Alicia and Ross Feldman, and Diana Freed, JoBeth Moss and her children Pepper and Ashley Edens, Mark Hathorn, Fred and Jeralyn Hathorn and her grandchildren William, Avery and Peyton Edens, Chase and Quinton Hathorn. A Graveside Service was held on Sunday, January 14, 2024, at 4:00 PM at Congregation Beth Israel Memorial Garden, located at 1101 Antoine Drive, Houston, Texas 77055. The link for the recording of teh service is https://view.oneroomstreaming.com/index.php?data=MTcwNTAzMjYwMzI5MDI2NyZvbmVyb29tLWFkbWluJmNvcHlfbGluaw== In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Alexander JFS (https://www.alexanderjfs.org/) or Seven Acres (https://www.sevenacres.org/).

Harvey Fersten

May 8, 1937 - January 11, 2024