Barry S. Hirsch's Obituary
Barry S. Hirsch, first child of Samuel E. and Janet Hirsch, was born December 20, 1941 in Cleveland, Ohio. The family moved to Tucson during the summer of 1948. During his lifetime, Barry was known as a teacher, a community volunteer, a singer, and an author. A January 1959 graduate of Tucson High School, Barry continued his studies at the University of Arizona receiving his BA in 1962 and his M.ED. the following year. He served in the Peace Corps in Ecuador from 1964 to 1966 as a teacher. He retired as an Arizona high school teacher after having served as President of the Safford Education Association in 1975 and being honored with a plaque from the SHS Key Club in 1974 as well as one from the SHS Marching Band in 1978. He coached baseball, advised drama students, and mentored speech and broadcast journalism students. Many of his students went on to careers in broadcasting. He received commendation from both the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion for sponsoring students in oratorical contests. He was honored by Toastmasters International in 1972. In the community, he was elected Master of Safford Lodge #16 F.&AM in 1976 then Exalted Ruler Elks Lodge #1607 in 1985. When he returned to Tucson, he served as an at large committee member of the 5th/6th Street Circulation and Livability Study 2000-20001 and as a class participant in the Citizen Policy Academy of the TPD as well as a member of the Citizens Police Advisory Review Board 2004-2005. Hirsch is a 32nd degree member of Sabbar Shriners. In his retirement years Hirsch served as President of the Udall Center’s Eastside Seniors Club in 1996 and as President of the Congregation Anshei Israel’s Seniors Organization for a record eight terms beginning in 1998. He felt uplifted by his participation in the Saguaro Singers, the Shirat Ha Shirim Chorus, and for 24 years in the Anshei Israel Choir, especially when he was given the opportunity to solo in each singing group. Beginning in 2007 and continuing through 2012, Hirsch fulfilled one of his life long ambitions by authoring seven novels which ranged in scope from baseball fiction to a family saga trilogy to a whodunit. In his golden years, Hirsch also enhanced the spiritual lives of Jewish seniors by conducting religious services at six retirement centers throughout the Tucson community. This undertaking was a fitting climax for Hirsch who first received commendation as “chazan” from Congregation Anshei Israel at its Class Day Exercises on May 29, 1955. Another source of life long gratification was his role as a founding father and charter member of the Upsilon Alpha Chapter of Alpha Epsilon Pi Fraternity. The deceased is survived by two younger sisters and a brother-in-law, Gloria L. Hirsch of Tucson, and Susan (Jay) Lipmann of California. Chapel Services will be held 2:00 p.m. Tuesday at EVERGREEN MORTUARY & CEMETERY, N. Oracle Rd. & W. Miracle Mile. Family requests donations be made to Congregation Anshei Israel or the charity of one’s choice.
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