COMUNICADO DE LA ORG MISS UNIVERSO POR LA MUERTE DE HAROLD GLASSER

To Our Extended Miss Universe Family:

It is with great sadness we announce the passing of a man whose name will forever be linked to that of the Miss Universe Organization. 

Simply put, there would not be a Miss Universe Organization were it not for the work, dedication and vision of Harold Glasser.  When he took the reins of this company in 1959, both television and the Miss Universe Pageants were in their infancies.  Harold saw the endless possibilities in both.  He put the Miss USA and Miss Universe pageants on the air and made them "must see" events.  It was Harold Glasser who then took the pageants worldwide and made Miss Universe an internationally recognized brand.  He set a standard by which all other pageants would be judged. 

But to view Harold Glasser's life solely in the light of his considerable contributions to the Miss Universe Organization is to sell him woefully short.  His life was full, rich and extraordinarily productive in a great many ways, as the Miami Herald has eloquently recounted below.

All of us in the Miss Universe family extend our deepest condolences to his wife, Marny, and his son, Kerry.  And to Harold, from all of us whose lives you have touched, our deepest, heartfelt thanks.

Most sincerely,

Paula Shugart

GLASSER, HAROLD L., 91, died peacefully on July 11, in his home in Highland Beach, Florida. The cause of death was bladder cancer. He was born on August 22, 1918 in New York, NY, the son of the late Herman and Etta Glasser. He earned B.A., J.D. and L.L.M. degrees from New York University, Harvard Law School, Columbia Law School and the New York University Graduate School of Law.

From 1959 to 1986, Mr. Glasser enjoyed a career as president of the Miss Universe, Miss USA, and Miss Teen USA Pageants. He also served as General Counsel of the Kayser-Roth Corporation, President of the American Society of Corporate Secretaries, and Mayor of the incorporated Village of Saddle Rock, NY. Locally, Mr. Glasser was Chairman of the Board of Governors at the Polo Club in Boca Raton. Active in various philanthropic campaigns of the Anti- Defamation League, Mr. Glasser was the recipient of two Human Rights Awards. He was Chairman of the League's Great Neck Division and New York Lawyers Division.

Harold Glasser had a distinguished military career, serving overseas in World War II as Bombardier, 1st Lieutenant. He was awarded 12 combat decorations including the Distinguished Flying Cross and Air Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters. He was a member of the Air Force Association, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans, American Legion and Jewish War Veterans. A book honoring his accomplishments, Courage Takes Flight: The Life and Times of Harold Glasser, by Dr. Patricia Kollander, will be published shortly by The American Life Publishers.

He is survived by his loving wife Marny and his son Kerry. Services will be held at Beth Israel Memorial Chapel, 11115 Jog Rd (corner of Jog & Woolbright), Boynton Beach, on Sunday, July 18, at 3 pm. Memorial contributions may be made, if wished, to the ASPCA. View this Guest Book at www. MiamiHerald.com/obituaries.

Read more: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/herald/obituary.aspx?n=harold-l-glasser&pid=144063945#ixzz0taVBOagC