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WIT, HAROLD MAURICE Age 86, died December 14, 2014. Born September 6, 1928, Newton, Massachusetts to Martha Basist Wit (deceased) and Maurice Wit (deceased), older brother Phillip Wit (deceased). The boys were known as "Big Moose" and "Little Moose." Harold attended Buckingham Browne & Nichols, Harvard University (Phi Beta Kappa), and Yale Law School (Yale Law Review). Harold's marriages: Louise Untermeyer Frankel, Joan Rosenthal Sovern (deceased), Judith Ginsberg Wit, and Susan King Wit. He had two children with Joan Rosenthal Sovern: David Wit and Hannah Wit (deceased). He worked as an attorney at Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP; was Managing Director of Allen & Company; and was on the Board of Directors at Toys 'R" Us, Inc. and MCI. He established the lecture series, "Living a Spiritual Life in a Secular World" at Harvard Divinity School. Harold was a Navy Captain in the Korean War (Battleship USS Iowa). He was a member of Pathworks: A Spiritual Center for Growth and Learning. Harold wrote poetry and authored the book A Shovel is to Dig With. He lived in New York City, East Hampton, and Santa Fe, New Mexico. Harold built the well-known tower on his property at 17 Cross Highway in East Hampton. He headed Watchdogs of the North Fork to stop commercial development in East Hampton. Over his 40 years in East Hampton Harold planted specimen trees, acres of wild flowers, and vegetables. He farmed honey bees and harvested their honey. He loved riding his red tractor. He drafted and sent to the Supreme Court a bill to allow residents of second homes the right to vote in cities where they owned second homes. He was an avid reader--reading a book a day and several books at one time. Harold was an ardent Republican, a loyal American, and a true patriot who deeply loved his country. Harold was an eccentric dresser who didn't care what others thought. He was an outstanding cook and baker whose "Holiday Booze Cake" will long be remembered. Harold will always be known for his acerbic wit, sense of fairness, brilliant mind, outspoken opinions, sensitivity, and generous kindness to others. He will be loved and missed by those he leaves behind: David, Kathleen, Natasha, and Dylan Wit; Simon, Clare, Simone, and Clark Ginsberg; Greg, Enna, and Noah Roggin; Kevin, Jennifer, Jake, and Ryan Roggin; Kurt and Jimmy Serrano; Jesse and Keri Ryback; Luke, Ciara, Aibhlin, Rowan, and Nora Ryback; Petie Wit (his loving and faithful companion who sat on his lap until the very end) and Sue / his "Mighty Mouse", wife of seventeen years, who will carry his heart in her heart forever. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Santa Fe Animal Shelter & Humane Society (sfhumanesociety.org and 505-983-4309) would be greatly appreciated.
        Published on: Sun December 21, 2014