Obituary of Harry Sterling

Harry Michael Sterling, beloved husband, father, grandfather, son, and brother, died at home in Denver on April 26, 2022. Born on February 24, 1935 in Denver, Colorado, Harry was the son of the late Samuel H. Sterling and Mildred L. Sterling of Denver and brother of Sherwood Sterling of Reno. Adored husband of Victoria Flug Sterling, Harry was father of Lauren Sterling (Larry Sussman), Elissa Sterling (Alan Troy), and Fran Sterling (Keith Hay), step-father of Sam Aybar (Susie Aybar) and Liz Aybar Conti (Betsy Conti), and grandfather of Samantha and Emily Swartz, Madeleine and Zoe Troy, Sonya and Anna Hay, Isaac Sterling, Ben, Aidan, and Alex Aybar, and Dena and Maya Conti. Harry graduated from East High School in 1952 at the age of 16, and received his B.S.B and LL.B in 1958 from the University of Colorado. Anyone who knew Harry, knew that he was an intrepid world traveler (from Tajikistan to Israel, China to India, Papua New Guinea to Argentina, and close to home in Breckenridge) and loved an adventure like no one else. He was a voracious reader, a historian of depth and breadth (with a penchant for roadside historical markers), and a lover and collector of art, music, and opera. Harry practiced law for over 50 years in Denver, and throughout his distinguished career he specialized in bankruptcy, trusts and real estate. He was elected to the American College of Bankruptcy Lawyers in 1992 and recognized in the Best Lawyers in America from 1987 to 2006. Alongside his esteemed career, Harry was an active member and leader of the Jewish community serving as District President of the Denver Chapter of District 2 of B’nai Brith, a founding member and President of Temple Sinai, chair of the Central Agency for Jewish Education (helping to establish the Israel Study Tour for high school students), and board member of the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society (HIAS), Anti-Defamation League, and Facing History and Ourselves. He was also a generous and philanthropic participant in Denver’s vibrant cultural life, serving on the boards of Opera Colorado, Colorado Ballet (with a cameo appearance in Swan Lake), Denver Film Society, Denver County Cultural Council of the SCFD, and the Tesoro Foundation. Harry’s love of learning was passed onto others, including law students at the University of Denver and University of Colorado, students at Temple Sinai Religious School, and of course his loved ones. His smile and blue eyes lit up in the presence of his wife, children, and grandchildren, and his curiosity, humor, and passion will carry on through all of them. Graveside, Thursday,1:30pm, Mount Nebo Memorial Park. Livestream available on Feldman Mortuary's YouTube Channel.