Harold M. Brodsky of New Britain, CT died on Friday, June 17, 2011 surrounded by his devoted family. A native of Lawrence, Mass., he was born on October 20, 1923 to Sam and Belle (Belford) Brodsky. He leaves behind his beloved wife of 63 years, Judith (Rosenbaum), and his children Mark and Sima Brodsky of West Hartford, CT and Sharon and Howard Richman of Allentown, PA. He also leaves his dear grandchildren: Bonni and Jay Brodsky and Jesse, Adam (Lisa Toff), and Elana Richman.
A US Army veteran of World War II, Harold was part of the Army’s 296th Ordinance Company, 84th Infantry Division and the 104th Infantry Division where he served as a Sergeant.
Following the war, Harold graduated from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) with a B.S. in Metallurgy. Later, he also completed the Advanced Management Program at Harvard University.
Harold joined Fafnir Bearing in 1947 holding various management positions including Assistant Chief Metallurgist, Assistant Superintendent of the Newington Plant, General Factory Manager, VP of Manufacturing, VP of Operations and Executive Vice President. He became President and CEO of Fafnir Bearing Division of Textron in 1983, and oversaw the sale and merger of the company with Torrington Bearing Division of Ingersoll Rand before retiring in 1987.
Always civic minded, Harold served on the regional Board of Directors for numerous organizations including the Disposal Commission for the City of New Britain; The Office of Economic Opportunity of New Britain; the Legal Aid Division of the OEO; the YMCA of New Britain; The New Britain Children’s Museum; the New Britain Public Library; and the United Way of New Britain/ Berlin where as General Chairman in 1985, he led the Annual Fund Drive. Harold also served as Vice Chairman of the Mattabassett District-Regional Water Pollution Control Authority; President of the Rotary Club of New Britain; and was a Corporator of New Britain General Hospital. A golfer, he was also a member of the Shuttle Meadow Country Club and the Saturnites.
In the business community, Harold was a Director and member of the Executive Committee of the Burritt Mutual Savings Bank and the Anti-Friction Bearing Manufacturers Association; a Director of the Hartford Manufacturing Association; and on the Board of Directors of Goss Machine Company.
Harold served as a trustee for Beth Alom Cemetery Association, was a member of Temple B’nai Israel in New Britain for over 50 years, and a Hadassah Associate.
Funeral services will be held on Sunday, June 19, 2011 at 1:00 PM in the Chapel of the Weinstein Mortuary, 640 Farmington Ave., Hartford, with interment following at Beth Alom Cemetery in New Britain. Shiva/calling hours will be observed at the Brodsky home in New Britain Sunday June 19th and Monday June 20th at 7 PM. The family requests that donations in memory of Harold be made to a charity of one’s choice. For further information, directions, or to sign the guest book for Harold, please visit online at www.weinsteinmortuary.com/funerals.cfm