SAPERSTEIN,
Mr. Harry J.
Beloved husband of the late Florence Genevieve
Saperstein for 59 years and Oxnard resident for 30
years, died peacefully of
natural causes on May 15, 2004 at St. Johns Hospital, Oxnard with
his family by his side.
Harry was born on January 7, 1913 In
Chicago, Illinois into a family of nine
children, including Abe Saperstein, founder
and owner of the Harlem Globetrotters and lived in Chicago until age
25. He served in the United States Army from 1943 to 1945, seeing
battle in Italy, France, Germany and Austria and earnlng three Bronze
Battle Stars. In 1948, he moved to North Hollywood, and in 1962 to
Burbank, where he resided until moving to Oxnard in 1974. While living
in North Hollywood, he was Cubmaster of Cub Scout Troop 235 and
Scoutmaster of Boy Scout Troop 3. In 1958, he was selected "Scoutmaster
of the Year.”
Harry was known for his ability to
fix Just about anything, which he
did for friends and family throughout his life. He also was known for
his wit and mental acuity, which continued undiminished until his
death. He could remember and tell more than 1,000 jokes and completed
the New York Times crossword puzzle every day. He walked his treadmill
daily and was active with the Oxnard-Joslyn Lawn Bowling Club. His
brother Abe, an inductee In the Basketball Hall of Fame, is credited by
the Hall of Fame with inventing basketball’s 3-point shot but Abe and
his son, Jerry, said Harry was the first to suggest the idea. Harry
also invented a new type of portable basketball backboard and floor,
which were used by the Globetrotters throughout the world.
Harry is survived by son Guy T.
Saperstein, Piedmont, CA, and daughter, Tina Tamburri, Agoura Hills,
CA, two sisters, Fay Saperstein and
Leah Raemer, three grandchildren, Kelli Dulansky, Leon Saperstein, and
Jacobus Saperstein, and two great-grandchildren, Natalie and Matt
Dulansky.
There will be a memorial service for
Harry on Monday, May 24, 2004, 1 pm
at Payton Mortuary Chapel, 426 West 5th Street, Oxnard, CA, with a
reception to follow 2 to 4 pm at the Oxnard-Joslyn Lawn Bowling Club,
350 North “C’ Street,
Oxnard, CA.
Harry's lawn bowling community was very important to him; in lieu of
flowers, donations can be made in his memory to the Oxnard-Joslyn Lawn
Bowling Club.
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Published May 21, 2004 in the Los Angeles Times without the
photo and without the final paragraph.
Published May 22, 2004 in
the Ventura County Star.