Murray Haber

With heavy hearts and great sadness, we mourn the passing of Murray Haber, who died peacefully at home on March 30 holding hands with Susan, his loving wife of 41 years. He struggled for two years with the increasingly debilitating effects of cardiac amyloidosis. He was 97. His family will miss his smile, his warmth, his wisdom, and his love.

Besides Susan, Murray is survived by their son David, his wife Lizzie and their 1-year-old daughter Delilah, and by their daughter Sarah, her spouse Christopher King and their two children, Oliver 2 1/2, and Lucy 1 1/2.

Murray was one of the rare 97-year-olds to have 3 grandchildren under the age of 3, and he adored them. Murray’s eldest son Maxwell lives on Long Island with his wife Lisa and 2 children. His stepson Marc Denny lives in North Carolina with his wife Cindy and two children.

Born in Jersey City in 1924, Murray grew up during the Great Depression. That experience shaped his views for the rest of his life. He always felt that people should have a place to live that they liked and could afford. This led to his career in real estate, where he dedicated himself to urban renewal, slum clearance and affordable housing.

Murray served on the boards of the Settlement Housing Fund, the National Housing Conference and the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment, each with the aim of developing affordable housing for low-income communities and the elderly. He was a member and board member of Hudson Guild, a major inner city New York settlement   house for 20 years. His career felt like a calling, and he remained actively involved in affordable housing until well into his 90’s.

As much as public service was important to him, Murray always carved out time for athletics. As a young man he ran track for the Third Air Force track team. Once out of the service he was a champion squash player at the City Athletic Club where he was a member for 50 years. At their home in Beaver Creek Colorado, Murray loved to ski the most difficult trails and a favorite was the Canadian Bugaboos, by helicopter. During the summers on Long Island, Murray was an avid tennis player at the Westhampton Tennis Club and a frequent golfer at Hampton Hills. Late afternoons were reserved for a sail on his beloved catamaran.

Nearly 30 years ago Murray and Susan left New York City for Washington Depot, Connecticut. They fell in love with the town, its people, and its beautiful vistas. Characteristically, Murray served on several boards, including the Gunn Memorial Library, and was a leader in the Washington Community Housing Trust. At 94, Murray was made an honorary member of the Bulls Bridge golf club. He was a major supporter of the academic, artistic, and health-related programs in the community and his generosity was legendary.

Though Murray was a very private man and never sought the spotlight, he accomplished much for many and will be sorely missed.

Services for Murray will be Sunday April 3, 2022, 1:00 P.M. at B’nai Israel, 444 Main Street North, Southbury, CT 06488 and will be streamed on their website, http://www.bnaiisraelsouthbury.org/ . Burial will immediately follow. 

Munson Lovetere Funeral Home assisted with the arrangements. To leave an online condolence please visit www.munsonloveterefuneralhome.com

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