Obituary of Harold Stacy

Harold Gerard Stacy, 84 of Beachwood, NJ, much loved husband, father, artist, art teacher, humanitarian, died suddenly at home Friday afternoon after a short illness. He was known to early family as Jerry, to those he met after his service in the army as Stacy, and to later friends as Hal. He was the third of four children born to Irene [Conway] and George Stacy, in Paterson, NJ. He was the kindest, most generous, most loving, and most forgiving man, with an extraordinary wealth of knowledge in many subjects. His talent in art flourished early; in high school, he contributed cartoons to the Eastside High School newsletter, and illustrated several high school and college yearbooks. Harold served in the US Army during the Korean War. While stationed in Orleans, France, he took third place and honorable mention in the All Europe Army Art Exhibit in 1954, and in 1957, third prize in the New Jersey State Art Annual Exhibit. He also wrote excellent poetry, which was published in several poetry publications. A Batchelor of Fine Arts high honors graduate of Rutgers University, Newark, in 1960, he originally enrolled in Montclair University in 1955, where he met his Katie; they were immediately inseparable, and they married in 1956. He loved fatherhood, and raising his two sons; later his niece, Julie [Osterheld] Mealo, and nephew, Steve Stacy, joined the family. His older son, Deven Gerard, carries his middle name. He loved reading; his eclectic library dominated every room in the house. His wit and humor were matchless. His drawings were exquisite. A member of the Ocean County Artists Guild since 1962, he was a fixture at the Saturday life drawing sessions. He exhibited there and with the Company of Artists group. He was also a volunteer at Community Medical Center offering interactive art to patients undergoing chemo and radiation. His teaching career began in the Toms River elementary grades, continued in the intermediate, and concluded in both art and humanity classes in H.S North and East, where he was also department chairman. He loved teaching and his students, and encouraged unique creative development. He held his sons, nephews and nieces, grandnephews and nieces, and friends, in the highest esteem and loved them dearly. He is survived by his wife Katie, his sons, his nephews and nieces, and grandnephews and nieces. A memorial celebration may be announced in the future.