Michael A. Hirsch
As a journalist, I worked just about every job in the newsroom - reporter, copy editor, bureau chief, assistant news editor, arts and entertainment editor, business editor, features editor and, finally, opinion editor.
I was always gratified when my reporters won national awards. My business reporters for The Morning Call won more than 10 awards. I’m particularly proud of an award won
by former staff writer Sam Kennedy for stories that shut down Lehigh Valley College. At the time, the for-profit school was the fastestgrowing in the Lehigh Valley, and the stories showed the college saddled students with highinterest loans.
The Morning Call features section was named
one of the best sections in the country four times in six years. One year it was named the best features section in the country for newspapers our size.
But my family has always provided the greatest joy. Our eldest daughter, Emily, and her husband, Erick (whom I usually call “Erick with a K”), run a successful photo studio based in Brooklyn. Emily has been a joyful kindred spirit for 31 years, and I admire her devotion to her family as well as her job. Erick quickly became a son, a friend and a fellow adventurer.
Daughter Mathilde has the most amazing sense of social and environmental conscience that I have ever seen. She moved with her partner, Grayson, to the Adirondacks to help care for me as I entered hospice in June. They have proven to be loving and capable caregivers.
A few of my other blessings: amazing neighbors Fran and Judy Naab, who walked our rescue dog, Marcy, and helped us in innumerable other ways over the last three years. There was also my “Pennsylvania brother,” Tom Warren, who has risen to every challenge and has helped me each step of the ALS journey, with his wife, Janet. Dozens of friends and neighbors helped and I’m grateful for each and every one.
It’s sad for me to be the youngest child, but the first to pass away. I will miss my brother
Bob, sister Linda and sister Kathy more than I can ever let them know. All of them — Bob, in particular — stepped forward in recent months to help me and my family as we struggled with growing caregiving demands.
I have one message to pass on to my family, friends, neighbors and co-workers: I love you to Pluto and back.
Editor’s note: Mike was an editor at The
Morning Call since 2001, the last few years as director of Content/Opinion and Community Engagement. He died Wednesday, Aug. 3. SERVICES: Calling hours will be 4-8 p.m. Aug. 10 at the Stephens Funeral Home, 274 N. Krocks Road, Upper Macungie Township. A funeral
Mass will be held at 11 a.m. Aug. 11 at Cathedral Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem. Contributions in Mike’s memory can be made to the The ALS Association Greater Philadelphia Chapter, 321 Norristown Rd., Suite 260, Ambler, PA 19002 or The Southern Poverty Law Center, 400 Washington Ave., Montgomery, AL 36104 or Adirondack Land Trust, P.O. Box 130, Keene, NY 12942.