Obituary of Herman Hy Cherlow

South Plainfield: Herman (Hy) Cherlow, 93, a long-time resident of the Plainfield area, died on December 13, 2008, at his home in South Plainfield. Mr. Cherlow was born in Brooklyn, and he moved to North Plainfield in 1952 and then to South Plainfield in 1969. He graduated from the College of the City of New York in 1936 with a bachelor's degree in Chemistry and received a Master's of Science degree in Chemical Engineering from Stevens Institute of Technology in 1954. He enjoyed a long career at the American Cyanamid Company in Bound Brook, retiring in 1980 as Senior Process Chemist.Mr. Cherlow was a man of great moral and physical strength, which he combined with warmth, good humor, and consideration for others, making him both loved and respected by his family and his many friends. He was first and foremost a family man who took great pride in the accomplishments of his children and grandchildren. His grandchildren adored him because of the many hours he devoted to them, playing endless games with them and watching their performances and athletic events. Other passions in his life included serving the Jewish community both in the Plainfield area and in Israel, food, golf, bridge, classical music, football, dancing, and debating politics, religion, and philosophy with his friends and family. Mr. Cherlow was widely admired for his devotion to the Jewish community and his willingness to work hard on its behalf. He held numerous leadership positions, including President of the Jewish Community Council of the Plainfields and the Plainfield Zionist District, and Treasurer and Trustee of the New Jersey Zionist District. In recognition of his efforts, and those of his late wife, Eleanor, the Jewish National Fund sponsored a grove of trees in Israel in their honor. He was very active in fundraising, serving in several positions, including General Chairman of the annual fundraising drive of the United Jewish Appeal and Chairman of the annual Israel Bond drive at the former Temple Beth El of Plainfield, of which he was a long-time congregant. Following Beth El's merger, Mr. Cherlow continued as a congregant at Congregation Beth Israel in Scotch Plains, and at both places he served on several committees.Mr. Cherlow was predeceased by his wife of 53 years, Eleanor, who died in 1995, and his brother, Carl, who died in 2007. He is survived by his son, Dr. Joel Cherlow and his wife Fran of Long Beach, CA; his son Dr. Jay Cherlow and his wife Ann of Arlington, VA; his brother, Robert Cherlow and his wife Hannah of Jerusalem; his grandchildren, Julia Cherlow, of Los Angeles and Michael Cherlow and Danny Cherlow of Alexandria, VA; several nieces and nephews; and his devoted caregivers in his later years, Louise Hinds and Lilian (Angie) Belton of Plainfield Funeral service will be held on Tuesday, December 16, at 11 am at Higgins Home for Funerals, 209 West Eighth Street, Plainfield, with interment to follow at Baron Hirsch Cemetery in Staten Island. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the American Friends of Alyn Hospital, 51 East 42nd Street, Suite 308, New York, NY, 10017, or www.alynus.org, to aid the hospital's rehabilitative work in Israel.