Howard Sinsley

Howard Lawrence Sinsley was born in Brooklyn, New York in 1931 and died peacefully at his home in Greenville, South Carolina on Monday, September 7, 2015. After his graduation from Hillsborough High School, he joined the Air Force and was stationed at Bolling Air Force Base. Subsequently he was selected to be a member of the Air Force Presidential Honor Guard and was appointed to the White House, in the Oval Office during the Eisenhower Presidency. Mr. Sinsley returned to Tampa after his military duty and pursued his Bachelor's Degree at The University of Tampa, where he served as President of The Student Body. While working summers in the Borscht Belt, he met his wife, Nina Garber. They later settled in Tampa and raised 3 children, Joshua, Jay and Kate. After graduation from UT in 1959, he was named Outstanding Alum of the University. He continued his higher education earning a graduate degree at the University of Mississippi and Hunter & City Colleges in NYC. In the early years, Howard taught at newly opened C. Leon King High School. Thereafter he served on the faculty as a Professor and Administrator in multiple roles at UT, USF and as founding administrator of Hillsborough Community College. He advised students, mentored their earning grants and scholarships and inspired them to continue their higher educations. Howard extended his voice beyond the classroom where he could be heard announcing Tampa Jai Alai, Wrestling with Gordon Solie and Sports on WTVT Channel 13. He was a major supporter of the Tampa Area High School in Israel program and he and his wife served as co-principals at Congregation Rodeph Sholom Religious School. He was a Past President of Congregation Rodeph Sholom and received awards from The Jewish Theological Seminary . He served on several boards including the National Council of Christians and Jews, Hillel Academy, Chairman of the Board at the Tampa Library, Project Upward Bound at USF, Tampa Economic Development Council, Gratz College Advisory Council, the Monte Carlo Condo Association and proudly the Air Force Honor Guard Alumni Association. After retiring from his Vice Presidency at HCC, in more recent years, he was requested to lend his expertise to teach cultural diversity and teach teachers how to improve their skills. Whether on the tennis court, the fairway, or in the community, Howard has left an indelible mark on everyone who has crossed paths with him. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Nina Garber Sinsley, son Josh (Debbie), son Jay (Barb) and daughter Kate Freedman (Richard), 6 grandchildren, Jeffrey and Eric Sinsley, Harris and Haley Sinsley and Harry and Bergman Freedman. Howard Sinsley exemplified service to family, congregation and community at its highest level. Donations can be made in his legacy to the Parkinson's Disease Foundation, 1359 Broadway, Suite 1509, New York, NY 10018 or go to www.pdf.org. A Graveside Funeral Service will be held at Cedar Park Cemetery in Paramus, New Jersey on Thursday, September 10, 2015 at 11 A.M.