OBITUARY: Former Florida Supreme Court Senior Judge Harry Stein, 90, of Viera, Passes Away
By Space Coast Daily // March 10, 2020
In 1992 he ran unopposed as a Circuit Court Judge for Brevard County
BREVARD COUNTY • VIERA, FLORIDA – Harry Stein, 90, of Viera, Florida, is survived by his beloved wife of 42 years, Laurie; beloved schnoodle dog, Tasha (age 19); son, David; daughter Kathy; grandchildren Taylor, Garrett, and Ariel; great-grandson, Michael (“MJ”); 12 nieces and nephews (Phil Stein and Marty/Marsha Stein, who live locally); and 12 grandnieces and grandnephews (Ashley Stein/Cody Bocco, Aleah and Rebekah Stein, who all live locally).
He was born to Russian immigrant parents, Hyman and Celia, who emigrated from Ukraine to America in 1911 and 1912. Growing up on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, as the youngest of seven siblings, he was the last survivor of that generation.
After moving to Miami, Florida in 1946, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy as a naval aviation cadet in 1950. Later he joined the U.S. Air Force, and was called into active duty during the Korean War (1950-1953), where he served, and become a U.S. Air Force veteran of that war in 1952.
He later attended the University of Miami followed by the University of Miami Law School where he graduated with a Juris Doctor degree in 1955.
During his post-graduate studies, he worked as a deputy sheriff for the City of Miami, and after graduation, was Assistant City Attorney for that city.
In 1963 he moved to Brevard County and began practicing law with his brother, Edward Stein. He became the Chief Assistant to the State Attorney in Brevard County in 1971, handling many Grand Jury investigations, extraditions and other criminal matters.
In 1979, he was appointed as a Domestic Relations Commissioner by the Circuit Judges of the 18th Judicial Circuit. Later he ran in a non-partisan election and was elected as a County Court Judge for Brevard County, Florida, in 1980, where he served Brevard County for 12 years.
In 1992 he ran unopposed for a new position as a Circuit Court Judge for Brevard County, taking office in 1993.
After his retirement in 1998, he was appointed by the Supreme Court of Florida as a “Senior Judge” and traveled throughout the State of Florida conducting lengthy civil and criminal trials (including death cases), until he hung up his robe and gavel for good in 2008.
He was a quiet, but very active, man throughout his life playing tennis, racquetball, scuba diving, bicycling, kayaking, hiking, camping, and traveling in his motorhome with his wife and dog, Tasha.
He and Laurie traveled extensively throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico, as well as globetrotting throughout 92 other countries.
He also enjoyed vacations with his family, concerts, theater, and playing BRIDGE – especially duplicate bridge. During his earlier years, he was involved with the Jaycees, Indialantic Exchange Club, Brevard County Mental Health Center, and was also the ninth President of Temple Beth Shalom Synagogue in Satellite Beach.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory, to the Brevard Zoo, Space Coast Symphony Orchestra, or The Melbourne Civic Theater, Inc.
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