Let them eat Coney Island cake! And other delicious memories from Harold’s Tribute Party!

Coney Island cake with Nathan's hot dog on top! For Harold's tribute party, June 7, 2014 © Max Schenk
Coney Island cake with Nathan’s hot dog on top! For Harold’s tribute party, June 7, 2014 © Max Schenk

The summer is just zooming by and things are very busy in the studio! We’re preparing for the retrospective show in Moscow, and another one in November with Lumiere Gallery in Atlanta (more on that later) continuing to print editions in various sizes, meeting with curators, and hosting our friend, filmmaker Andy Dunn from the BBC who took Harold to Coney Island a few weeks ago (more on that in the next blog)! At the same time Harold had another brief hospitalization in early July. So it’s been a busy time.

That’s my explanation as to why it’s been almost two months since Harold’s fantastic tribute party and I’m only now finally sharing some pictures from it! But memories of it are still fresh in everyone’s minds as friends and family from throughout the country gathered and are still sharing their great memories of the day — as well as some of their photographs!

On June 7, about 45 close friends and family gathered in the beautiful home of Chuck and Gillian Griffin in Newburyport, Massachusetts to toast, roast and celebrate Harold. The idea sprung from his immediate post-hospitalization and hospice tenure. We realized that it’s all well and good to eulogize people once they’re gone, but better to celebrate them when they can truly appreciate it!

Our lovely afternoon included the mellow Brazilian jazz of singer/songwriter (and great friend!) Greta Bro with guitarist Luciano, an abundance of food courtesy of all our friends, an incredible Coney Island cake (thank you Eat Cake! in Newburyport) a 20 minute video tribute and a 111 page celebration book produced by neice extraordinaire, Sarah Walsh Kotkowski.Contributors to the book and video spanned the globe and the decades, including former students, family,friends, and colleagues. Harold was dazzled and it would be safe to say that a gloriously good time was had by all!

Here are a few photos from the party and from the book. Stay tuned for clips from the tribute video, which will be posted on YouTube sometime in the near future!

Visiting from Orlando: brother-in-law Ron Black,  Jason Cooper and Shaler Cooper (niece extraordinaire) and from Alexandria, VA Sarah Kotkowski (another niece extraordinaire!) enjoying sunshine, jazz and drinks!
Visiting from Orlando: brother-in-law Ron Black, Jason Cooper and Shaler Cooper (niece extraordinaire) and from Alexandria, VA Sarah Kotkowski (another niece extraordinaire!) enjoying sunshine, jazz and drinks!
Jazz singer Greta Bro with guitarist Luciano
Jazz singer Greta Bro with guitarist Luciano
One of Harold's youngest fans,  Thompson Cooper, son of Shaler and Jason Cooper!
One of Harold’s youngest fans, Thompson Cooper, son of Shaler and Jason Cooper!
Neice Sarah Kotkowski presents the tribute video she produced with the help of everyone's contributions!
Neice Sarah Kotkowski presents the tribute video she produced with the help of everyone’s contributions!
Harold enjoys the video with sisters-in-law Ruth Thompson from Carmel and Beth Black from Orlando
Harold enjoys the video with sisters-in-law Ruth Thompson from Carmel and Beth Black from Orlando
Beverly Simon,  Cindia Sanford, and Sandy Jacobs enjoy the video too!
Beverly Simon, Cindia Sanford, and Sandy Jacobs enjoy the video too!
Lance Hidy, Cherie Burton , John Bell,   Drew Epstein and Shaler Cooper
Lance Hidy, Cherie Burton , John Bell, Drew Epstein and Shaler Cooper
Harold looks at his book!
Harold looks at his book!
Harold's Tribute book!
Harold’s Tribute book!
Screen Shot 2014-07-24 at 7.43.59 PM Screen Shot 2014-07-30 at 10.12.09 PM
A photo of Harold at Coney Island in the 70's taken by friend and photography student, Peter Angelo Simon
A photo of Harold at Coney Island in the 70’s taken by friend and photography student, Peter Angelo Simon
Peter Simon drove up from Brooklyn to celebrate his teacher and friend!
Peter Simon drove up from Brooklyn to celebrate his teacher and friend!
Deb Shapiro appreciates Harold
Deb Shapiro appreciates Harold

Cherie Burton,  Harold's studio manager  from 2003 to 2012 shares some fun memories
Cherie Burton, Harold’s studio manager from 2003 to 2012 shares some fun memories
Photo dealer and good friend, Tony Decaneas
Photo dealer and good friend, Tony Decaneas

Suzy Goodspeed pokes fun at Harold
Suzy Goodspeed pokes fun at Harold
John Benford Harold's current studio manager pays tribute to the man!
John Benford Harold’s current studio manager

Old friend, student and printer, David Caras shares a laugh with Harold
Old friend, student and printer, David Caras shares a laugh with Harold
Harold with happy crowd
Harold gets his cake and eats it too!
Harold gets his cake and eats it too!
The Coney Island Parachute Jump on cake!
The Coney Island Parachute Jump on cake!
When your mouth drops open, click the shutter!
When your mouth drops open, click the shutter!
To Life to Life L'Chaim!
To Life to Life L’Chaim!
A kiss from Judith
A kiss from Judith