Herbert I Hirsch

Herbert Irving Hirsch, a lifelong resident of Hingham, passed away after a brief illness on March 13, 2023 at the age of 93.

He was the son of the late Elliot and Alice (Nunn) Hirsch. Brother of the late George Hirsch and Jane (Hirsch) Schirmer.

Herbert had a very strong work ethic that started at a young age where he worked for the pharmacy in West Hingham delivering medications to customers on his bicycle. As he grew older and had earned the trust of his employer, they started letting him open the store, make deposits, and run the soda fountain counter.

As a young adult, he worked for Gordon Building Movers. He helped move many homes from one location to another. He also worked for several carpenters and that’s where his talent grew.

As an accomplished carpenter, he worked on hundreds of homes in Hingham and the surrounding area. There was barely a road in Hingham that you would drive down where he couldn’t point out a house he had worked on, whether it was remodeling a kitchen, painting a living room, or building a garage. He touched many homes and many lives.

He enlisted in the Army National Guard in Hingham and his unit was activated during the Korean War where he was stationed at Camp Edwards.

He was a great storyteller and loved sharing his humorous stories with everyone he met. He loved chatting and getting to know people. He was always genuinely interested in knowing all he could about their lives.

Herbert was very proud of being a member of the Herring Pond Wampanoag tribe and enjoyed learning about his heritage.

He married the love of his life Janice in December 1951 just a week after she turned 18. They were anxious to get their life together started. 

Beloved husband of 63 years to the late Janice (Lacombe) Hirsch. Father of five children, to which he referred to as “The Five J’s,” Jeanne Hirsch, Julie Dempsey and husband David, Joan Riddle and husband Raymond, John Hirsch and wife Diane, and the late James Hirsch and wife Coleen. Grandfather of Joyelle, Caitlin, Amanda, Tyler, Daniel, Jared, Samantha, Matthew, Christopher, and Joshua. Great grandfather of Finn, Kate, Nuala, Lilyana, Ayla, Tess, AJ, Emma, Elijah, Eloise, Charlie, and an expected two more this year.

Visiting hours will be held for Herbie on Thursday March 23 from 4-7pm at the Downing Cottage Funeral Chapel, 21 Pond Street, Hingham. Friends and family are respectfully invited to attend. A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Friday March 24, at the First Baptist Church, 85 Main Street Hingham at 11am. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: Town of Hingham, Treasurer's Office, Attn: Rosemary Amoscato Shaughnessy Scholarship Fund, 210 Central Street, Hingham, MA 02043. Please make donations payable to the Town of Hingham.

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