Henry Olshin

Likely humming Lecha Dodi as his partner Marsha drove him to dialysis, Henry Olshin, son of Rose & Jacob Olshin passed away peacefully this past Friday, January 28th, 2022. He was 2 weeks shy of his 89th birthday. The youngest of three sons, Henry was born in 1933 in the Bronx, and was raised and lived with vigor in the NY Metropolitan Area throughout his life. Yeshiva, NYC Taxi driving (“school”), the US Army, City College, and a Masters program in Hospital Administration at Columbia University prepared him for his full and passion-filled life of engagement with and service to community, Judaism, and his family and friends. His last, longest and most impactful post was as the head of Astoria General Hospital. A humble, hands-on, empathic leader, he thoroughly enjoyed chatting with cooks, cleaners, nurses and even doctors during his regular “rounds.” Upon retirement, he was presented with a pair of roller skates. After raising 2 boys with her, Henry tenderly cared for his beloved wife, Sophie Marie Olshin through 7 years of cancer. Their love was rich and deep. A religious Jewish man, often called on to lead services in key and make a minyan, Henry regularly welcomed non-jewish friends to participate in the family’s seder meals. A staunch supporter of Israel and long-time elected member and chair of the East Meadow Public Library Board of Directors, Henry quietly served for decades as a leader of the Hospital Executives Club of New York. A lover of Klezmer music and Yiddish, he enjoyed building and displaying his Judaica collection. He was lucky to enjoy both a long and loving marriage to Sophie and a loving and supportive partnership with Marsha Warshaw, later in life. Henry is survived by his brother George Olshin, sons Joshua and Andrew Olshin, their spouses (shaina maidelas) Sheryl Olshin and Rebecca Mischel and three beautiful grandchildren, Emma, Solomon and Benjamin Olshin. Henry was proud to support Cascadia Clusters, a non-profit founded by his son Andy that hires and trains houseless Portlanders in the construction trades to build housing and support structures for use at houseless villages. Please join us in honoring Henry with a donation to Cascadia Clusters https://www.cascadiaclusters.org/support Alternatively, please consider honoring Henry through a donation to Yad Lakashish in Jerusalem where he and Sophie spent countless hours volunteering with elderly Israeli immigrants from around the world. (https://www.lifeline.org.il/pid.aspx?SubMainPageId=49&p=2)