Ten months ago, on the day his daughter was born, Eric Hersh ran from his office across the street to a children's clothing store owned by Ruby Newman. Leaping into the counter, he shouted, "Give me one of everything!" The happy incident, related by Newman, is reflective of the humor and spirit of Eric Hersh - and his pride in the fatherhood of his daughter Nicole -recalled this week by family and friends.
Hersh, 36, a prominent Peekskill attorney, died instantly of a cerebral hemorrhage in a head-on collision on Route 9 in Phillipstown on Friday. Aside from Nicole, he leaves his wife of three years, Rose Abatangalo, his mother Ruth Weinger of 602 Nelson Avenue and his father Julius "Duke" Hersh of San Diego.
He is also survived by his sister Cheryl of San Francisco and, on his father's side, by his uncles, Fredrick, Jerome and Benjamin Hersh, all of Peekskill, and by his aunt, Esther King of Deerfield, Florida. On his mother's side, survivors include his uncles Stuart, Jack, David and Eugene Weinger, all formerly of Peekskill.
According to police, the accident occurred in slushy road conditions on Route 9, just below the Burger Hut restaurant. Philip Hersh, a cousin who practiced law with Eric at the family firm at 2 South Division Street, said Eric, whom the family called "Ricky," had driven from Peekskill to meet with a client. Hersh said Putnam County Coroner John Zarcone, who pronounced Eric dead at the scene, said the accident occurred in the road's northbound lane. The Hersh car was struck head-on by a southbound van driven by Lorenzo Lacks, 34, of New Haven, Connecticut.
Hersh was driving his wife's car, a Nissan Stanza, instead of his own Mercedes. He made that decision, said family members, because it was snowing when he left his Cold Spring home and his wife's car had front-wheel drive, which would operate better in snow. Family members said Hersh was known to wear a seat belt while driving and to be a careful driver.
Lacks was taken to Butterfield Hospital in Cold Spring and admitted with chest injuries. He has since been discharged, according to a hospital spokesperson. Lacks was ticketed for driving with a suspended New York State driver's license, though his Connecticut license was valid, police said.
"Our family is decimated by this tragedy," said Philip Hersh, a cousin, speaking at a memorial service on Sunday. Held at the First Hebrew Synagogue Center on East Main Street, the 11 a.m. service drew a crowd of more than 500 people. "He lived for the women in his life," said another cousin, "his mother, his wife, and his baby girl."
Hersh was born on November 3, 1950 in Peekskill. A graduate of Peekskill High School in 1968 and of the State University at Oneonta in 1972, he received his law degree from Delaware Law School in Wilmington. He joined the family firm after graduation in 1976.
A memorial service by the Peekskill Bar Association will be held on January 14 at 9:30 a.m. at Peekskill City Court.
Funeral arrangements were handled by the Hellman Memorial Chapel in Spring Valley, formerly of Peekskill. The Hersh family will continue to receive friends at 602 Nelson Avenue until Friday at sundown. In lieu of flowers, they ask that donations be made to the Nicole Hersh Education Fund, care of the Chase Manhattan Bank on Welcher Avenue.
Betsy Finch (Rodino)
The Peekskill Herald January 8, 1987Ten months ago, on the day his daughter was born, Eric Hersh ran from his office across the street to a children's clothing store owned by Ruby Newman. Leaping into the counter, he shouted, "Give me one of everything!" The happy incident, related by Newman, is reflective of the humor and spirit of Eric Hersh - and his pride in the fatherhood of his daughter Nicole -recalled this week by family and friends.
Hersh, 36, a prominent Peekskill attorney, died instantly of a cerebral hemorrhage in a head-on collision on Route 9 in Phillipstown on Friday. Aside from Nicole, he leaves his wife of three years, Rose Abatangalo, his mother Ruth Weinger of 602 Nelson Avenue and his father Julius "Duke" Hersh of San Diego.
He is also survived by his sister Cheryl of San Francisco and, on his father's side, by his uncles, Fredrick, Jerome and Benjamin Hersh, all of Peekskill, and by his aunt, Esther King of Deerfield, Florida. On his mother's side, survivors include his uncles Stuart, Jack, David and Eugene Weinger, all formerly of Peekskill.
According to police, the accident occurred in slushy road conditions on Route 9, just below the Burger Hut restaurant. Philip Hersh, a cousin who practiced law with Eric at the family firm at 2 South Division Street, said Eric, whom the family called "Ricky," had driven from Peekskill to meet with a client. Hersh said Putnam County Coroner John Zarcone, who pronounced Eric dead at the scene, said the accident occurred in the road's northbound lane. The Hersh car was struck head-on by a southbound van driven by Lorenzo Lacks, 34, of New Haven, Connecticut.
Hersh was driving his wife's car, a Nissan Stanza, instead of his own Mercedes. He made that decision, said family members, because it was snowing when he left his Cold Spring home and his wife's car had front-wheel drive, which would operate better in snow. Family members said Hersh was known to wear a seat belt while driving and to be a careful driver.
Lacks was taken to Butterfield Hospital in Cold Spring and admitted with chest injuries. He has since been discharged, according to a hospital spokesperson. Lacks was ticketed for driving with a suspended New York State driver's license, though his Connecticut license was valid, police said.
"Our family is decimated by this tragedy," said Philip Hersh, a cousin, speaking at a memorial service on Sunday. Held at the First Hebrew Synagogue Center on East Main Street, the 11 a.m. service drew a crowd of more than 500 people. "He lived for the women in his life," said another cousin, "his mother, his wife, and his baby girl."
Hersh was born on November 3, 1950 in Peekskill. A graduate of Peekskill High School in 1968 and of the State University at Oneonta in 1972, he received his law degree from Delaware Law School in Wilmington. He joined the family firm after graduation in 1976.
A memorial service by the Peekskill Bar Association will be held on January 14 at 9:30 a.m. at Peekskill City Court.
Funeral arrangements were handled by the Hellman Memorial Chapel in Spring Valley, formerly of Peekskill. The Hersh family will continue to receive friends at 602 Nelson Avenue until Friday at sundown. In lieu of flowers, they ask that donations be made to the Nicole Hersh Education Fund, care of the Chase Manhattan Bank on Welcher Avenue.
--- Kathy Daley
Betsy Finch (Rodino)
Rest in peace, my friend. I miss you.