Harold Lightstone, D.O. Obituary (1968 - 2022)

September 26, 2022, passed peacefully at home in Cherry Hill, NJ, under the loving care of his devoted wife, Jessica Lightstone. Beloved father of Larisa (John) Lightstone-Paoletti and Laura Lightstone (Pat Murphy). Devoted grandfather of Victoria Murphy and Benjamin Paoletti. Brother of the late Gladys (the late Gus) Ciffeli. Brother-in-law of Russell (Mary) Bunio. Also survived by his niece, Debbie Brownlow, and cousins, Sara Richman and Michael Rosenberg. Harold Lightstone was a man who lived his life to the fullest. He was born and raised in Philadelphia in 1926. He graduated from the old Northeast Public high school and went on to complete a degree in pharmacology from Temple University. After deciding pharmacology was not for him, he changed careers and earned his doctorate from Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. Harold setup his practice in Wildwood NJ as a family physician. It was during these years that he met his bride to be, Jessica, after stopping into Valentino's for lunch one afternoon. Jessica was there waiting tables during her summer break from college in West Virginia. He decided to become a regular at her tables and eventually it was there they fell in love. They managed to make it work even through a long-distance relationship after he, once again, decided to change gears and complete a residency in anesthesia. On October 11, 1968 Jessica and Harold were married and shortly afterward setup their home in Cherry Hill NJ. Harold worked as an anesthesiologist at Cooper Hospital followed by many years at Garden State Hospital. He then went on to practice at Einstein Hospital in Philadelphia and, finally, he finished his long career practicing anesthesia in outpatient offices. He worked well into his 70's because he loved his work so much. In Cherry Hill, he and his wife raised two daughters, Larisa, and Laura. The family eventually bought a vacation home in Sea Isle City NJ where they would spend their summers together with Harold popping in on the weekends. Many years later, in 2010, he was blessed to become a grandfather for the first time, welcoming the light of his life, Victoria June into the world. This brought a new level of happiness to his life. Three years later he again was blessed to welcome his first grandson, Benjamin James. These two brought an unexpected joy into his life as he was in his 80's when they arrived. Harold always seemed younger than his chronological age up until around 90 when his health began to decline. This is around the time his wife, Jessica, became his caretaker, and what care she took. She tended to his every need whether it be a good meal, some fresh squeezed orange juice (daily!) or the many doctor's appointments she took him to. After he fractured his pelvis his care needs increased and his son in law, Pat Murphy, stepped up to the plate, put his own life on hold, and moved in with them to provide the additional care needed until they could find the right care takers for the job. We could not be more grateful to Pat for his kindness and sacrifice. In the end, Harold died peacefully in his home with his family. Just as he would have wished it to be. The family would like to thank Samaritan Hospice, especially Zach, for making it possible to be home and be comfortable in the end. We also want to thank some of the incredibly special caretakers from Aleph who were with him a long time. Thank you, Tashonda, for being there even when you were not well and thank you Marlene for filling in when no one else could work. We will always be so very grateful to all those who helped us through the last couple of difficult years. Interment was at Locustwood Memorial Park, Cherry Hill, NJ. Contributions may be made to Samaritan Healthcare & Hospice or Tunnels to Towers Foundation.