Kenneth William Hirsch, age 64, of Rye, passed away at New York-Presbyterian Weill Cornell Medical Center in New York City on October 29, 2017.
Born in White Plains on March 15, 1953, he was the son Donald and Fay (Lipper) Hirsch. He earned an undergraduate degree in Sociology from Pitzer College in Clairmont, Calif., and an MBA in Finance from Columbia University. After graduation, he was recruited by NBC and served in the company’s Rockefeller Center headquarters for more than 20 years. There, he gained a reputation for getting things done.
For the latter portion of his career, Mr. Hirsch took on leadership positions with smaller companies where his expertise, drive, and attention to detail made a difference. At the time of his death, he served as CFO at Nicosia Creative Espresso, Ltd., an international design company with offices in Manhattan.
Mr. Hirsch was devoted to his family: his wife, Bonnie (Smith), and son, Ben. Active in the Rye community, he was a longtime and enthusiastic volunteer with the Boy Scouts. He was also a dedicated member of Community Synagogue of Rye, where he spearheaded a fundraising campaign and was a loyal member of an early morning Torah study group.
At the funeral, Rabbi Daniel Gropper spoke about Ken Hirsch’s good heart, generosity, and genuine interest in others. He also shared several stories, including one about his befriending a Starbucks barista in New York, who ended up inviting him to his child’s christening.
In his eulogy, Dr. Neil Kavey shared fond memories of his cousin, describing his fascination and talent for fixing and making everything from radios to television sets and his attentiveness and reliability at all times. “Ken was at the same time loving and giving. He was kind and warm. He felt deep love for his wife and son and deep affection for his friends. He was a true, good, and special man and much loved.”
He was predeceased by his parents, and his sister, Patty Hirsch.
Funeral services were held November 2 at the Jewish Community Center of Harrison. Internment followed at Mount Pleasant Cemetery in Hawthorne.
Contributions in Mr. Hirsch’s memory may be made to the Adult Education Fund at Community Synagogue of Rye, 200 Forest Avenue, Rye, NY 10580.
