On Nov. 4, Henry Gettenberg of Madison, died peacefully surrounded by his loving family and best friends. Henry was the oldest child of Eisig and Marietta Gettenberg born April 19, 1949, in Modena, Italy. In 1951, his family immigrated to the United States and resided in Brooklyn, New York. On the streets of Brooklyn, Henry found a love of stick ball, the New York Yankees, and music of the ‘50s and ‘60s.

Henry attended and graduated from Yeshiva of Flatbush, before graduating from SUNY Stonybrook for undergraduate. While in attendance at SUNY Stonybrook, Henry met the love of his life, Helenne Tiplitsky, on a road trip to Disney World in Florida before it officially opened. After two years of courting, Helenne became his wife in 1974. Together they moved to Connecticut, to follow their dream of becoming teachers. Together, they both went to Southern Connecticut State University to earn a master’s in education. They were both offered job opportunities, Helenne in Middletown and Henry in Madison.

In a desire to start a family, they moved to Madison in 1977. Henry taught at Robert H. Brown Middle School for 10 years, in both the sixth grade and as a math coordinator during his tenure, as well as coaching the baseball team. He later went on to earn a second master’s degree in business at the University of New Haven. He built lifelong relationships as both a teacher and a salesman, during his career. pre-COVID and post retirement, Henry returned to his love of teaching and subbed at the various schools within the Madison School District, subbing for teachers he once taught.

Henry is survived by his two children, Alissyn (Bryan) Schaer of Ardsley, New York and Eric (Jennifer) Gettenberg of Greensboro, North Carolina. Henry and Helenne raised both children to excel in whatever area so interested them. Alissyn followed in her father’s footsteps becoming a salesperson in her own right; and Eric has lived out his dream as a firefighter. Henry is also survived by his doting grandchildren who loved their “Pop Pop” more than life itself. Each one had a special relationship with their grandfather; and he had his own little banter exclusive to each of the grandchildren. Ella, Hudson, Brayden, Essex, and Logan will all miss his Donald Duck impression, and the bad jokes only they laughed at. Henry is also survived by his sister, Elda Pincus of Cleveland, OH.

Henry left a legacy within town, his congregation at Temple Beth Tikvah and his family and friends as a loving, kind, funny, gracious and generous man. Never a bad word has been spoken about Henry.

Services were held Nov. 7, at the Beth El Cemetery in Paramus, New Jersey. In lieu of flowers, Henry’s family would appreciate donations be made to Yale’s Pancreatic Cancer Early Detection Clinic or Next for Autism.