Borough Volunteer Dies After Lifetime of Service

Dan Harmatz, President Emeritus of the Public Library's Board of Trustees, and long-time community volunteer has died at the age of 91. Harmatz passed away on April 8, 2013.

Harmatz was honored by the Library's Board of Trustees and town Historic Preservation Commission in June 2012 when the circle in front of the library was named “Dan Harmatz Way.”

He joined the Library Board in 1976 and became the Board president in 1990. He stepped down prior to 2012 and was named President Emeritus at that time.

He has been cited as being instrumental in getting the current Library on Dahlia Avenue built. Prior to its current location, the library was located on the site of the Senior Activity Center on River Road.

The New Jersey Library Association had honored Harmatz as Trustee of the Year and created the Daniel Harmatz Trustee Advocacy Award in honor of his tireless work in improving Library funding. In addition, Harmatz has held numerous positions in Bergen County and Regional Library Associations, and helped represent New Jersey at the White House Conference on Libraries and Informational Service.

Along with serving on the Library Board, Harmatz spent 50 years as a member of New Milford's Board of Health, serving almost all of that time as President. He had also been a volunteer for a number of charitable organizations in New Milford. 

He served as a radio operator with the 347th Bomb Squadron in Italy during World War II. The Army veteran was a member of the Jewish War Veterans of America following his return from the European Theatre.

Harmatz is survived by his daughter Carol Schepker and her husband Ronald, son Howard Harmatz and wife Gisela and grandchildren Nicole, Alison, Joseph and Jason. He was predeceased by wife Selma.

Services will be held at Gutterman and Musicant Jewish Funeral Directors, 402 Park Street Hackensack, on Friday at 11am.

Memorial donations may be made in to the Friends of the New Milford Library.

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