Herbert Gorfinkle

Herbert Gorfinkle (1923-2000)

Herbert Gorfinkle was the eldest child and only son of Colonel Bernard and Frieda Gorfinkle of Newton, Massachusetts. Born in 1923, Gorfinkle came of age during World War II and entered the U.S. Army while an undergraduate at the University of New Hampshire. As a Tech 5 combat engineer, Gorfinkle was responsible for clearing landmines ahead of his advancing unit. He was also a trained army photographer, and aside from his letters home, he documented his years in the War with photographs. A soldier under General Dwight Eisenhower, Gorfinkle participated in the Normandy Invasion and was among the troops that liberated Buchenwald in 1945.

Gorfinkle graduated from the University of New Hampshire, but during the war he attended Cornell University in New York for engineering training and University of Oxford in England. He received his Masters in Business Administration from New York University's School of Retailing in 1948.

Following the war, Gorfinkle married Constance Golub. They had three daughters, Jeanne, Anne and Elisabeth. Gorfinkle was President and Founder of Edwards Stores of Boston. An active boater, he was Chairman of the Harbor Development Committee in Hingham, a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Coast Guard Auxiliary and Commodore of the Metropolitan Yacht Club.

Gorfinkle died on June 11, 2000 at the age of 77.

• 1923: Herbert Gorfinkle born to Bernard and Frieda Gorfinkle.
• 1943 - 1945 : Enters World War II and through training becomes a Tech 5 and army photographer.
• 1947: Graduates from the University of New Hampshire.
• 1948: Graduates from New York University's School of Retailing.
• June 11, 2000: Herbert Gorfinkle dies at age 77.

From the guide to the Herbert Gorfinkle, papers, undated, circa 1850s-2000 (with gaps), (American Jewish Historical Society)