Henry Selah

Hank was born  in a brownstone in Brooklyn & raised in Floral Park,Queens.

He graduated from Archbishop Molloy High School & Marist College with a BA in English.

He married Karen Vitale in 1970.

He then served in the US Army as an airborne sergeant.

Upon discharge from the service, he worked as a pressman for the New York Daily News for eleven years & then for the New York Times till his retirement in 2013.

Hank was an avid reader & he loved technology.

He was the first in town to have a home computer.

In 1980 he ran for school board & got hooked on politics.

He worked in many election campaigns & was the president of a local civic association.

He became a county committeeman & deputy zone leader of the Valley Stream Democratic organization.

He was vice  president of the V.S.Democratic Club.

Karen’s involvement in the Valley Stream Historical Society brought him a new interest & he went on to be a trustee & president of the organization.

Hank was known for his quirky personality & sense of humor. Karen often said that he didn’t march to a different drum, he marched to a different orchestra.

He was a good sport,  dressing in costumes for parties. His harem girl was legendary.

He loved (respectful ) spirited discussions & debates

He was passionate about issues like social justice & tolerance.

He was a loyal & sensitive friend who loved to gently tease.

He enjoyed a true friendship with his brother & sister-in-law & doted on his niece.

He was a loving, super supportive,  & very affectionate husband.

He never let his many health challenges dampen his spirits.

Hank is survived by his wife of 52 years, his brother, Joseph, his sister-in-law, Marilou, & his niece Coleen.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the

PARISH OUTREACH AT HOLY NAME OF MARY RC CHURCH or

the VALLEY STREAM HISTORICAL SOCIETY