Harold Gadon, 98
Harold Gadon, 98, of Warwick, died Nov. 4, surrounded by his loving family.
Born and raised in Providence and Worcester, Massachusetts, Harold was the son of the late Morris and Gertrude Zeldon Gadon. After graduating from Hope High School in 1946, he attended Brown University, where he earned a degree with high honors in industrial engineering in 1949. In 2024, he proudly celebrated his 75th college reunion.
Following graduation, Harold joined the Navy, serving as a petty officer second class. He was stationed in Newport.
In 1953, Harold met his future wife, Janice Brosofsky. Both had lost their parents early in their childhood. They cultivated a love that lasted nearly seven decades. Harold and Janice were beloved for hosting incredible holiday parties and memorable Thanksgiving dinners, bringing family and friends together year after year. Janice died in 2022 with Harold by her side.
Harold was the co-owner of Providence Metallizing, a company specializing in vacuum metallizing, electroplating and high-temperature coating, where he built a successful business and lasting relationships. He retired in 1999, leaving behind a legacy of leadership, integrity and fairness that inspired and created a trustworthy environment for employees and customers.
An avid athlete throughout his life, Harold loved his summers swimming in the Atlantic Ocean and his winters downhill and cross-country skiing in the mountains of Vermont.
Harold was a founding member of Temple Sinai, where he was a member for more than 50 years, serving on many boards.
Hal, as his family and friends called him, had a passion for giving back to the community after he retired. The lifelong Rhode Islander loved volunteering at the Cranston Public Library and for AARP, where he became a certified tax assistant, helping over 1,000 Rhode Island residents file their taxes. He was known for being available at all hours, earning the nickname “The Tax Man.” Harold served on the Save the Bay board, which was awarded recognition by Rhode Island Attorneys General Patrick Lynch and Arlene Violet.
Family was at the heart of who Harold was. From birthday parties and graduations to the cherished annual Cape Cod and Mount Snow trips, Harold never missed an opportunity to see and celebrate his children and grandchildren. He took immense pride in each of them and treasured every moment spent together.
Harold was a devoted father and is survived by his three children: Charles Gadon and his wife, Joanne, of Old Saybrook, Connecticut; Jane Breslau and her husband, Howard, of Needham, Massachusetts; and Brenda Lewis and her husband, Michael, of East Greenwich.
Harold was the loving grandfather of Jake, Robert and Alice Gadon; Mitchell and Max Breslau; and Gianna and Nick Cusano.
He was a dear brother to the late Ireene Haskell Ozer of Worcester, Herman (Natasha Josefowitz) Gadon of La Jolla, California, and Joseph (Gail) Gadon of Minneapolis. He is survived by his brother-in-law, Alan Brosofsky, and his wife, Diane, and many nieces and nephews, to whom he was a loving uncle.
Harold’s infectious laughter and warm smile that made every room brighter will be dearly missed. To know him was to love him. He lived his life to the fullest with strength, never-ending determination, generosity, humor, work ethic, optimism and unconditional love; it was truly a life well lived. He leaves behind a legacy of love that will live on through his family and the countless lives he touched.
Memorial contributions in his honor may be made to Temple Sinai, 30 Hagen Ave., Cranston, RI 02920, online at templesinairi.org; or to Tamarisk Assisted Living, 3 Shalom Dr., Warwick, RI 02886, online at tamariskri.org; or to a charity of your choosing.
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