The city finally agreed to dedicate the tennis courts to Harry and his legacy of kindness toward our neighborhood kids. Seeing his name on those courts will be the perfect way to honor a man who turned his own survival into such immense generosity for Bridgeport.
November 22, 2023
Final supporters
Please sign this petition. Do not give money.
In 1988 a Bridgeport Businessman was active among the upper East Main Street business community. At the time his new effort was to teach children of Bridgeport how to play a game that until then was inaccessible to them, tennis. So, he got some well meaning people to join him to raise money to teach more than 500 children tennis. He got donations of tennis racquets for the children. For a few years he and his instructors taught children all over Bridgeport from Newfield Park on the East End to Black Rock, to Central HS and wherever there were tennis courts. He then created a relationship with the Ct tennis open and every year he would take children to watch professionals play in New Haven and the kids competed admirably against other cities.
He was born in Germany to a Christian father and a Jewish Mother. But as Hitler started murdering Jews his mother had to leave his father and 8 year old Harry and his mom escaped in 1941, leaving the rest of his family behind. They were all murdered. His mother remarried here, and his parents worked in Bridgeport factories until she started a business going all through Bridgeport neighborhoods, Father Panik Village, and the West Side selling clothes and makeup out of a truck. Eventually they opened Fashion Showcase on East Main Street and passed it on to Harry who flourished. That’s when he decided to share of himself to the children of Bridgeport. Later in life he dedicated his time to speaking about his Holocaust experiences in the hopes of breaking the cycle of violence everywhere. This documentary My Friend Harry, tells you more about him. Here is the link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0A6r22xX0Dk&t=1s
In the end as he got too old to care for himself his family took him to a senior care facility in New Jersey but that didn’t sit well with Harry who wanted to return to his beloved Bridgeport. They brought him back and he was able to spend his last month’s here until he died last month.
Harry's friends will be asking the Park’s department to name the Glenwood Park Tennis Courts after him and dedicate it with a plaque. Please endorse this effort for a worthy Bridgeporter who loved his hometown and lived that way. Thank you for your time. Above is a picture of Harry in Wetter, Germany with the Mayor where he returned to spread peace and forgiveness.
Updates
October 12, 2023
Seeing this kind of movement reminds me of how many lives Harry touched across our city. It brings me to tears to know his legacy of kindness is remembered by so many people who were part of those early lessons. We have enough momentum now that the city cannot ignore the impact he had on our community.
26 Comments
Harry loved Bridgeport, the Grassroots kids and having the park renamed in his honor would be very appropriate.
Harry was a lifelong lover of tennis and the City of Bridgeport. He came to watch me play in a tennis match just two months before he passed away. This would be a well deserved honor.
I was on the Board of Directors with Harry Weichsel and know how much time and effort and love he put into the program with all the kids
Harry was an amazing man a joy to sit down and converse with it would be a great thing if we could keep the memory alive of one who cared about the children in Bridgeport and and doing something that helped keep them off the streets
Harry dedicated himself to the youth of Bridgeport. I can say that because he was a tremendous influence in my life. His belief in me changed the trajectory of my life and who I became. This would be a fitting way to keep his memory alive.
This is a great tribute to Harry
He will be missed.
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The city finally agreed to dedicate the tennis courts to Harry and his legacy of kindness toward our neighborhood kids. Seeing his name on those courts will be the perfect way to honor a man who turned his own survival into such immense generosity for Bridgeport.
November 22, 2023
Final supporters
Please sign this petition. Do not give money.
In 1988 a Bridgeport Businessman was active among the upper East Main Street business community. At the time his new effort was to teach children of Bridgeport how to play a game that until then was inaccessible to them, tennis. So, he got some well meaning people to join him to raise money to teach more than 500 children tennis. He got donations of tennis racquets for the children. For a few years he and his instructors taught children all over Bridgeport from Newfield Park on the East End to Black Rock, to Central HS and wherever there were tennis courts. He then created a relationship with the Ct tennis open and every year he would take children to watch professionals play in New Haven and the kids competed admirably against other cities.
He was born in Germany to a Christian father and a Jewish Mother. But as Hitler started murdering Jews his mother had to leave his father and 8 year old Harry and his mom escaped in 1941, leaving the rest of his family behind. They were all murdered. His mother remarried here, and his parents worked in Bridgeport factories until she started a business going all through Bridgeport neighborhoods, Father Panik Village, and the West Side selling clothes and makeup out of a truck. Eventually they opened Fashion Showcase on East Main Street and passed it on to Harry who flourished. That’s when he decided to share of himself to the children of Bridgeport. Later in life he dedicated his time to speaking about his Holocaust experiences in the hopes of breaking the cycle of violence everywhere. This documentary My Friend Harry, tells you more about him. Here is the link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0A6r22xX0Dk&t=1s
In the end as he got too old to care for himself his family took him to a senior care facility in New Jersey but that didn’t sit well with Harry who wanted to return to his beloved Bridgeport. They brought him back and he was able to spend his last month’s here until he died last month.
Harry's friends will be asking the Park’s department to name the Glenwood Park Tennis Courts after him and dedicate it with a plaque. Please endorse this effort for a worthy Bridgeporter who loved his hometown and lived that way. Thank you for your time. Above is a picture of Harry in Wetter, Germany with the Mayor where he returned to spread peace and forgiveness.
Updates
October 12, 2023
Seeing this kind of movement reminds me of how many lives Harry touched across our city. It brings me to tears to know his legacy of kindness is remembered by so many people who were part of those early lessons. We have enough momentum now that the city cannot ignore the impact he had on our community.
26 Comments
Grassroots Tennis was a great opportunity for urban youth to learn a sport that they would have otherwise not been exposed to.
Harry loved Bridgeport, the Grassroots kids and having the park renamed in his honor would be very appropriate.
Harry was a lifelong lover of tennis and the City of Bridgeport. He came to watch me play in a tennis match just two months before he passed away. This would be a well deserved honor.
I was on the Board of Directors with Harry Weichsel and know how much time and effort and love he put into the program with all the kids
Harry was an amazing man a joy to sit down and converse with it would be a great thing if we could keep the memory alive of one who cared about the children in Bridgeport and and doing something that helped keep them off the streets
Harry dedicated himself to the youth of Bridgeport. I can say that because he was a tremendous influence in my life. His belief in me changed the trajectory of my life and who I became. This would be a fitting way to keep his memory alive.
This is a great tribute to Harry
He will be missed.
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Grassroots Tennis was a great opportunity for urban youth to learn a sport that they would have otherwise not been exposed to.