Harvey A. Flaxman's Obituary
Harvey A. Flaxman, a man with a huge heart and many talents, passed away at the age of 90 in Dunedin, FL, on February 7, 2025. Harvey brought tremendous enthusiasm and energy to everything he did, and he had a way of sharing that energy with everyone he encountered.
Harvey was a noted writer, director, producer, and actor, as well as a professor of theater and chairman of the Visual and Performing Arts Department at Fairleigh Dickinson University in Madison, NJ. As chair, Harvey innovated and implemented one of the country’s first electronic filmmaking and digital video design programs. His tenure at FDU ran from 1968 until his retirement in May 2000. He received the Distinguished Faculty Award in 2001 and remained Professor Emeritus for the rest of his life. Throughout his career at FDU, Harvey was a charismatic and inspiring mentor who drew on his rich and varied life experiences to guide his students.
As a producer, Harvey was nominated for an Academy Award for his 1981 documentary, “Against Wind and Tide: A Cuban Odyssey.” He was perhaps best known as the screenwriter and producer of the film “Grizzly,” the highest grossing independent film of 1976. One of Harvey’s greatest loves was the theater, especially Shakespeare. He directed and acted in summer stock productions at the Gateway Theater, Bellport, NY. He participated in the Directors Unit of the Actors Studio under Lee Strasberg. One of the highlights of his career was directing a lavish and rich production of Puccini’s “La Boheme” for professional opera company Opera at Florham.
During his second act, while living in Manchester Center, VT, Harvey was active in the local synagogue, Israel Congregation of Manchester. He was a dedicated volunteer at the Manchester Community Library, and he shared his film expertise by leading many film series at the Green Mountain Academy of Lifelong Learning.
Harvey was born in Far Rockaway, NY, to Joseph and Lillian (Rosenkrantz) Flaxman on December 18, 1934. He was brother to Sayrell, Ronald, and Lucille, who predeceased him. He attended New York University where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree and a Master's degree in Theater. Harvey was a member of the Screen Actors Guild.
Harvey is deeply loved and survived by his partner of 31 years, Janet Kleinberg; his daughter, Rachel Clarke and her husband Thomas; his son, Joshua Flaxman and his wife Sandra; Janet’s children, Liz Kleinberg and her husband Mike Kanarick, and Ethan Kleinberg and his wife Amy. One of his most cherished roles was that of Grandpa Harvey to his beloved grandchildren.
Harvey was a lifelong fan of the Bard. And so, “Good night, good night! Parting is such sweet sorrow, That I shall say good night till it be morrow.” ~ Romeo and Juliet. Exeunt Harvey.
Memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association at www.alz.org.
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