Chelsea High School sports history includes Harry Kanter as a notable figure. Playing as a starting forward on the 1938 state champion CHS basketball team, he was part of one of the rare Chelsea squads to capture a state title.
Harry Kanter, who died on Sept. 15 at age 94, maintained his deep connection to basketball throughout his life. He followed the Boston Celtics through their championship years under Bill Russell-led and Larry Bird-led rosters with unwavering enthusiasm. His devotion to the Celtics remained constant even when the storied team experienced less successful periods.
According to his son Paul Kanter, “My father talked about his basketball playing all the time,” “Sports was huge in his life. Baseball and basketball were the biggest things but his big love was basketball. You could call him a No. 1 Celtics fan. My father took my brother Alan and me to just about every Celtics game and there was a Chelsea section at the Garden in those days.”
The Kanter sons, Alan and Paul, brought their parents Harry and Laura considerable happiness through their own athletic pursuits during their younger years and high school. Both brothers competed on basketball teams at Carter Junior High School and Chelsea High School.
Paul, a three-year varsity basketball player at Chelsea High, reflected that “My father was always at our games and you could hear him yelling at the referees,”
Harry Kanter took equal pride in another significant chapter of his life: his World War II service in the medical unit of the Third Army under the command of legendary General George Patton.
Paul Kanter shared that “My father was a food doctor medic,” “His favorite story was that he was on the wrong side of the Rhine River. Everybody was supposed to be on one side and all of sudden he was on the other side and they were almost surrounded but they got out.”
Across 65 years of marriage, Harry and Laura Kanter remained deeply devoted to each other. Family gatherings during holidays and special occasions were cherished, with conversations frequently centering on sports.
According to Paul Kanter, “My father loved to talk sports,” “He was very vocal whether he was at the Celtics games or watching them on television. When he was watching on TV, he basically thought they could hear him screaming and yelling.”
Within his household, Harry Kanter was easygoing and affectionate. He cherished time with his wife Laura, his family, his grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
Paul Kanter noted that “His family was first and foremost with Number 1 being, of course, my mother,” “They were a great couple, very, very close. They were devoted, did everything together and went everywhere together. My father was president of the Y.M.H.A. and he was very involved with Temple Emmanuel and the Jewish War Veterans. And my mother was by his side, supportive all the way as he was to her as well.”
Harry Kanter pursued various sales and management positions before joining Syratech, where both his sons were employed.
Paul stated that “My father used to bring us lunch every day,” “He just loved spending time with us, so we got to see him all the time.”
The values their father instilled—honesty, integrity, and kindness—guided Alan and Paul Kanter into prosperous business careers.
Paul reflected that “He taught us to always work hard and be dedicated,” “We both started working at Leonard Silver [owned by Leonard Florence]. My brother started two years before I did.”
Paul currently serves as senior vice president of sales at Lifetime Brand, while Alan operates ABCs of Home Décor. Both have become successful examples for their own children.
Paul Kanter expressed that “We were as close as sons and a father could be,” “My father had a wonderful life, 94 great years, a gentleman to the end. He was very kind. He always put others first before himself. I celebrate his life knowing that he had a lot of good years and that he was well-loved and loved everybody to the end.”
Grandsons Jason Kanter, a Connecticut College graduate with a Master’s degree from the University of Chicago, Josh Kanter, a Franklin and Marshall senior, and Jonathan Kanter delivered moving eulogies during a service held at Temple Emmanuel.
Granddaughters Stacy Kanter Stevens, Jillian Kanter, and Alyssa Kanter honored their grandfather by reading poems.
Laura Kanter has struggled with the adjustment to life without her husband, whose presence brought love and joy to countless people.
Laura Kanter shared that “I have great memories,” “That’s what has been keeping me going.”