These are some words used by friends and loved ones to describe Harold Kornfeld since hearing of his passing on November 10th, 2025.
A character, unique, magnetic, jokester, mashuganah.
Harold fed off of the energy of people, always “walkin’ & talkin” with a joke to brighten your day. He was an outrageous football enthusiast, golfer, card player and lover of music, especially Sinatra, that he passed on to his entire family. He was a fiercely hard working provider to his large brood of 5. You could find Harold on the barstool at Chick’s Diner, on the golf course, at a card table, playing the pony’s at Mohegan Sun or cheering on his favorite football teams.
Harold was born on October 24, 1932 in Dunmore Pennsylvania to Louis and Bertha Roth Kornfeld. He grew up in Scranton, attended Madison School and began his lifelong memberships at the Scranton Jewish Community Center as well as Temple Israel, where he was President of the Jr. Congregation. At Central High School, he was the captain of the basketball team and an all-star player. He met his wife of 63 years at Central HS, Helene Audrey Kearson, and he then attended Temple University where he earned a bachelor’s degree in business and enjoyed fraternity life on campus. Harold and Helene married shortly after college, and he moved to Japan where he served in the Army. Helene later joined him where they had their first child and then settled in Scranton upon finishing his service to complete and raise their family.
Harold spent more than 50 years enjoying a career in sales with various furniture companies as a Manufacturer’s Representative covering PA, NY and Canada and by the end of his career had developed a successful team of associates. He especially loved his time working in New York City, the music, diversity of people, the energy! When not on the road, you would find him attending swim meets, dance recitals, little league baseball games, musical plays and watching his girls cheerlead.
In addition to his parents, Harold is preceded in death by his brother Leo Kornfeld & and his beloved wife, Helene.
He is survived by five children: Karen Bridge, Vicki (Jonathon) Sullum, Gary Kornfeld, Janis (Brian) Lipsitz, and Lori (Thomas) Doerr, 8 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister, Ruth Gelb, and her son Robert Gelb.
To celebrate Harold’s legacy, please join our family on Friday, November 28th from 1-4 PM at the Scranton Jewish Community Center, 601 Jefferson Ave., Scranton.
Donations can be made to the Scranton Jewish Community Center where he spent most of his years playing or coaching basketball, bowling or taking a schvitz. Alternatively, another favorite charity is the Alzheimer’s Association honoring the memory of his wife, Helene. Finally, Allied Services Scranton Hospice Center, where his family is forever grateful for the compassionate end-of-life care that he received.
He was truly one of a kind, unapologetically authentic, living life “his way”.
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