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Overcast Longtime Rockville Centre resident Henry Kaiser dies at 91
Former longtime Rockville Centre resident Henry “Harry” A. Kaiser died on Oct. 23 in the loving arms of his wife of 66 years, Carolyn, at his home in Captiva Island, Fla. He was 91.
Whether it was on the beach or the ski slopes, Kaiser lived life to the fullest. He was born one of seven children to his parents in Baldwin on Aug. 6, 1930, and lived in Rockville Centre for more than five decades. Kaiser and his family were active parishioners of St. Agnes Cathedral. He was a graduate of Brooklyn Preparatory High School and then Fordham University in 1953, and he obtained his master’s degree in business administration from New York Graduate School of Business.
Kaiser was an important forerunner and pioneer within the ski industry, serving for more than 35 years as the publisher of Skiing Magazine and later as the president of The Skiing Company, from which he retired in 1996. An avid supporter and fundraiser for the U.S. ski team, and chairman of the New York Committee for the U.S. ski team, Kaiser was honored extensively for his commitment to the sport, and was inducted into the U.S. Ski & Snowboard Hall of Fame in 2015.
Through five different ownerships of the publication, Kaiser’s tenure included president of the Times Mirror Corporation from 1985 to 1996 as publisher of Ski Magazine, Skiing Magazine, Trans Word Snowboarding Magazine and various trade publications. He was publisher and vice president of CBS from 1982 to 1985. In addition, Kaiser was publisher and vice president of Skiing Magazine and Skiing Trade News from 1964 to 1982 under the banner of Ziff Davis Publishing Company.
Kaiser was equally dedicated to the preservation and conservation of surf, sand and beach environments. Since 1963, he and his family have been active members of the Atlantic Beach Club. At ABC, Kaiser served on the board of directors, was president of the club and of its Land Company, preserving the club in perpetuity for its more than 250 members. The Hon. Harry Kaiser became a commissioner for Florida for beach preservation with the Captiva Erosion Prevention District in 2008. Kaiser was instrumental in creating environmentally pristine beaches, saving the migration of turtles and a host of other natural habitats and species that flourish on Captiva Island.
Additionally, Kaiser served in the military during the Korean War as an ordinance and Army specialist.
Kaiser is survived by his wife, Carolyn; his five children, Hank, Carolyn, Lorrie, Cindy and Catherine; his 10 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
Memorial services and a celebration of life will be held in late sprig on a beach. “It’s a blue bird day in heaven — sunny skies forever.”
