Harold Mesibov, 84, artist, Army veteran

Harold Mesibov, 84, a Philadelphia artist, died Tuesday, Oct. 30, of heart failure at Hahnemann University Hospital, where he had gone after a series of falls.

Mr. Mesibov was known for his portraits and his paintings of abstract figures, which he exhibited in Philadelphia and Miami Beach. His works are in private collections here and at the Boston Art Club.

(Examples may be seen at www.bostonartclub.com by clicking on Inventory and the letter M.)

Born and raised in the city's Logan section, Mr. Mesibov graduated from Olney High School in 1945.

He was drafted to serve in the Army in World War II. Because his hitch was just shy of a year, he was drafted again to serve in the Korean War and honorably discharged with the rank of sergeant, his wife, Ginnie, said.

Mr. Mesibov studied at Fleisher Art Memorial, Tyler School of Art at Temple University, and the Barnes Foundation.

Mr. Mesibov knew foundation founder Albert C. Barnes and asked him to autograph a copy of Barnes' book The Art in Painting. The inscription reads: "For Harold Mesibov, an artist who knows what is worthwhile."

Mr. Mesibov was a past vice president of the Philadelphia chapter of Artists Equity.

He met his future wife on Long Beach Island at the Jersey Shore during the summer of 1972, when they lived in the same duplex.

"He was 44 and thought he would die a single artist in a garret somewhere," she said. "I was in my 30s and thought I would end up an old maid."

When her car broke down and she needed a lift from Philadelphia to retrieve it at the Shore, he was game.

"He wined and dined me on the way down. Then in October, after some dates, he asked me to go steady for a year. I said, 'People our age don't go steady.' So he proposed." The marriage lasted 39 years.

The two shared a love of opera and piano music. They were regulars at the opera, which was near their home in Center City.

"Harold had a personality that reflected the warmth and power of his painting," his wife said. "He had a delightful sense of humor and was loved by all."

Surviving in addition to his wife, are a brother, Hugh; a niece; and nephews.

A memorial service will be observed at 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 10, at Tenth Presbyterian Church, 1701 Spruce St., Philadelphia. A private burial was held Saturday, Nov. 3.

Memorial donations may be made to Bridges for Peace, Box 410037, Melbourne, Fla. 32941.