JDA_Magazine_PaperTurn_Sept 2025 - Flipbook - Page 46
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REMEMBERING JDA MEMBER DAVID HIRSHMAN
11 JANUARY 1938 – 19 JUNE 2025
JDA member David Hirshman passed away peacefully while sunbathing in his
garden — his happy place. Sharon and Marcel write their father’s life story:
Over the years, he was actively involved with the
Jewish Deaf Association, the Jewish Deaf Circle,
Spurs Club, 66 club, National Deaf Club and
tennis.
He met Anita through JDA and got married in 1967
in Holland with the marriage registered in the UK.
They had two children – Sharon and Marcel. When
Anita passed away in 1982, he became a single
father raising two kids on his own.
When he retired from work, he decided to teach
BSL and taught classes in Harrow College.
He then decided to take up VSO voluntary work
overseas on a project in Namibia.
David was born in Hammersmith Hospital in
1938 and grew up with his mother and father,
Gertrude and Samuel Hirshman, as an only child
in Willesden.
During the war, he was an evacuee to
Marlborough where he stayed until the war
ended. His mother used to visit weekly if she
could, but his father was a 昀椀re昀椀ghter, so he didn't
see much of David.
After the war, David went to the Residential School
for Jewish Deaf Children (RSJDC), then applied to
Mary Hare Grammar School for the Deaf where he
remained for the rest of his schooling.
When he left school, he didn't know what to do.
By chance, he started working as a tea boy for
Casson Beckman Accountants, and worked his
way up to become a quali昀椀ed accountant despite
being deaf.
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JDATogether — Issue 50 — April 2025
He stayed for two years, and it was extended for
another year, so he was out there for three years.
We did visit him there.
He was always active, walking and exploring.
He booked holidays around the world, exploring
places. He became a member of the British Deaf
History Society, also volunteering for them.
He often attended guided group tours and
events in London. He volunteered to support
deaf people with mental health. He also often
volunteered for Deaf Sports Personality of the
Year and the British Deaf Association.
All his life he loved sunbathing, and he always
found the time to sunbathe wherever he was.
This time, he sunbathed and slept his way out of
this world.
He has left behind Sharon and Joe, Marcel and
Sophie and his grandchildren Rosabella, Olivier,
Lucas and Torin.
