Harvey Koizim, 83

One of Wooster Square’s great citizens, Harvey Koizim, died peacefully in his sleep last Friday.

Koizim was 83. He moved to New Haven after retiring from a successful career as a Fairfield County banker. He used that expertise in part to launch a decades-long career as a civic volunteer.

His funeral is scheduled to take place at Congregation Mishkan Israel on Tuesday at 11 a.m. Then he’ll be buried in New Haven’s Grove Street Cemetery. He is survived by his wife Ruth; his children John, Candy, and Ben; and grandchildren Matthew and Joseph.

Among his many activities, he kept redlining banks on their toes, organizing protests and supplying community groups with in-depth information and analysis. He was a vital contributor to organizations ranging from CitySeed, HOME Inc., Artspace, and Long Wharf, to the Historic Wooster Square Association. He backed many Democratic political campaigns, and considered himself an ​“honored member” of the Nixon Enemies’ List. He taught at Yale Law School, of which he was a graduate.

He was a much-appreciated supporter of the Independent — as a reader, commenter, donor, and photographer. (Click here to see his work.)

The not-for-profit group New Haven Farms distributed an email message Monday with this tribute to Koizim:

“When Harvey first heard of the idea of New Haven Farms, he jumped in with both feet — no hesitation, no dithering — indeed his excitement was contagious and palpable. His passion and leadership never wavered. Harvey used his extensive legal and financial knowledge to establish our organization as a 501c3 nonprofit and manage our books. Through his relationships with the greater New Haven community, we received thousands upon thousands of dollars worth of in-kind and cash donations. Harvey lent credibility and integrity to our organization.

“Harvey was an example of a life given by contribution. His legacy lives on in our work, and in the work of all the organizations he helped establish and support. And, we will miss him every day. In his wife Ruth’s words, Harvey had three dear biological children, and many organizational children. New Haven Farms was one of his babies, and among his last major philanthropic endeavors.”