By Matt Youngfrau
FALLSBURG — September 5, 2003 – Two local “living legends” will be honored with the Americanism Award at the Anti-Defamation League Dinner to be held on Saturday, September 14 at Kutsher’s Country Club in Monticello.
And Fallsburg brothers Harold and Raymond Gold could not be happier.
“We are very flattered by this prestigious award, commented Raymond Gold. “Anytime we can fight discrimination and bigotry, we are happy to have our name associated with it.”
“Raymond said it pretty well for both of us,” agreed Harold Gold. “This has been a course of battle taken by a group of good people. The ADL was formed by people who cared and wanted to get involved. It is very important to understand that it is a full-time task to make the ideas of the ADL stand.”
Both men are lifelong Fallsburg residents. Both have been successful businessmen and have long resumes of service to the community. Both are veterans, having served in World War II (Harold) and the Korean War (Raymond).
Harold Gold was one of the founders of the Sullivan County chapter of the ADL. Also, he was one of the original trustees for Sullivan County Community College (SCCC) – the only charter member still alive. After Harold Gold retired from the SCCC board, he was named Trustee Emeritus. And in 1997, SCCC named part of its campus the Harold L. Gold Founders’ Hall Administration Building.
“I am very proud of my association with the college,” Harold Gold remarked. “We knew for many years that SCCC needed good housing for their students. [The recent opening of the dormitories] fulfilled that need. It was very special for me.”
Raymond Gold was a founder of the Community Bank of Sullivan County. He served for a long time on the board of Community General Hospital and helped to create the Catskill Regional Medical Center Foundation. Gold also serves on the Sullivan County Community College Foundation Board.
“It is flattering to be able to serve on these special boards,” Raymond Gold said. “With Community Bank, we helped small businesses that otherwise would not have gotten financing. I have had a great deal of satisfaction working with Catskill Regional Medical Center as well. When you get involved, you get as much as you give.”
Harold Gold helped to turn Fallsburg Gas Service, Inc. into one of the largest propane distributorships in the Northeast. He has also been a strong part of the Fallsburg Volunteer Fire Department and still marches in the annual county parade each year. His other community activities include the Sullivan County Industrial Development Agency, the United Jewish Appeal, and B’nai B’rith.
Raymond founded Gold Mechanical Contractors, Inc. and has also served on the Fallsburg Fire Department, the town’s Planning Board and the town Golf Commission. Both Golds believe very strongly in community service.
“We felt we had to give something back,” Harold Gold stated. “I like small town life. It takes a big man to live in a small town.”
“I like it here,” Raymond Gold agreed. “I like the people and the friends I have made over the years. My biggest accomplishment is all the friends I have made over the years from all walks of life. That’s what keeps us here.”
Both men have received many honors. Harold was named B’nai B’rith Man of the Year in 1964. In 1990, he was honored by the Association of College Board of Trustees with the Distinguished Service Award. Raymond received the Distinguished Citizen Award from the Boy Scouts of America, Hudson-Delaware Council in 1993.
“Through our civic and charitable work, we have been able to meet some really fine people,” Harold Gold reflected. “It is important and nice to have good friends that care about you and you care about them. I like to be involved in the community. It is a pleasure to be around younger people. It makes me feel young.”
“So many people are discovering the beauty of this area,” Raymond Gold said. “The future here is worth it to make an investment. The area is being rediscovered.”
Also being honored at the ADL dinner is James Kallstrom. Kallstrom, formerly the head of the FBI in New York, will receive the William and Naomi Gorowitz Institute Service Award.