Harold Hornstein

EASTON, CT - Harold Hornstein, 90, a long-time resident of Easton, died January 1, 2011, in Cheshire, at the home of his daughter, Deborah Alexander Hereld.

Mr. Hornstein was a native of Brooklyn, New York. After graduating from Brooklyn College at the beginning of World War Two he enlisted in the United States Army and served four years in Europe as a member of an antiaircraft gun crew. After the war he attended the University of Missouri School of Journalism on the GI Bill, graduating with a Bachelor of Journalism degree.

Mr. Hornstein's first job was as an investigative reporter with The Columbus Georgia Enquirer, where he covered Phoenix City, Alabama, known at the time as Sin City. Upon returning to the north, he served as news editor of the Westport Town Crier, and as county and assistant city editor of The Bridgeport Post. He retired after an eighteen-year career as editorial writer for The New Haven Register, where he also wrote the weekly feature "Our Connecticut." Mr. Hornstein was the editor of the 1976 book "New Haven Celebrates the Bicentennial," published by The New Haven Colony Historical Society. After his retirement from The New Haven Register, Mr. Hornstein worked for many years as a reporter at The Fairfield News and The Westport News.

Inducted into the Connecticut Journalism Hall of Fame, Mr. Hornstein received numerous awards for his reporting and editorial writing, including the Stephen Collins Public Service Award given by the Connecticut Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists, and a national Meeman Award for his writings on land conservation and farm preservation.

He was a member of The Society of Professional Journalists, The Connecticut Academy of Arts and Sciences, and The American Legion.

Mr. Hornstein was an avid sports fan. He loved music of many genres. He was known for his personable, supportive nature, warm infectious smile, and lifelong enthusiasm for the newspaper business.

Besides his daughter, he is survived by his wife of 56 years, Patricia Hubbell of Easton, his son Jeffrey Hornstein, of New York City and three granddaughters, Megan Alexander, Shoshana and Shira Hereld, all of Cheshire. He is survived also by a niece, Wendy Miller, of Florida, and by his daughter's companion, Bradford Rickerby.

Arrangements - A celebration of Mr. Hornstein's life will be held on Saturday, January 8, 2011, at 1:00 p.m. at the Easton Public Library 691 Morehouse Road (corner of Center Road) Easton CT 06612. There are no calling hours. Burial will be held at the convenience of the family. Contributions in Mr. Hornstein's memory may be made to The Southern Poverty Law Center, 400 Washington Ave., Montgomery, AL 36104 or at www.splcenter.org. The Alderson Funeral Home of Cheshire is assisting with arrangements.