Painting a Life of Generous Giving

Every brush stroke mattered to the late Harry Kalish, who passed away in 2015. Proud of his watercolors and photography, Kalish, an engineer for Bell Laboratories, donated many of them to line the hallways of Morristown Medical Center.

Kalish worked hard to improve his art and was delighted when a friend told him about a small factory in Ireland that produced custom paintbrushes. Soon after the discovery, he sent his brush designs to the factory and opened Kalish Finest Brushes, an expansion of his art supply business. He and his wife, Ruth Kalish, a tireless fundraiser who passed away in 2017, ran the company from their home in Florham Park, New Jersey.

In addition to donating art, the couple established a charitable remainder annuity trust* to benefit the Carol G. Simon Cancer Center of Excellence Fund, and created the Harry and Ruth Kalish Cancer Endowment Fund as well as the Harry and Ruth Kalish Heart Endowment Fund to support programs and services for oncology and heart patients.

“Establishing this type of legacy giving vehicle is easy and a win-win for everyone,” Cynthia W. O’Donnell, JD, Foundation for Morristown Medical Center director of gift planning, said. “Not only does the donor’s favorite charity receive funds but also the donor receives a tax deduction and generates income for themselves at the same time.”

Throughout their lives, the Kalishes, married nearly 70 years, supported many causes, including the PG Chambers School, Paper Mill Playhouse and Morristown Medical Center. The couple’s generosity ensures that Morristown Medical Center can continue to deliver nationally recognized, extraordinary care building healthier communities throughout Northern New Jersey.

For more information on legacy giving, contact Cynthia W. O'Donnell, JD, at 973.593.2418 or cynthia.odonnell@atlantichealth.org.