Beloved husband of Debra Cherkas-Stark. Loving father of Gregg Stark (Tara), Gary Stark (Carmen), Jenna Post (Ryan), and Jake Stark (Sarah), and devoted grandfather of Alexa Stark, Cole Stark, Jack Sark, Rebecca Stark, Griffin Stark, Ben Post, Ava Post, Rhett Stark, Brody Cherkas, and Theo Cherkas (Randy and Adrianna Cherkas).

Hal was a devoted father, husband, entrepreneur, Zionist, and lifelong American patriot. He was an extraordinary son, deeply devoted to his parents throughout their lives, and nothing was more important to him than his family.

Hal was endlessly creative and entrepreneurial. As the owner of Hark Sweaters, a women’s sweater and dress manufacturer, he traveled to France for design inspiration, manufactured in Hong Kong well before it was commonplace, and sold his designs to Bloomingdale’s and stores across the country. He was always creating, always thinking, and always imagining his next venture, right up until the end.

Hal had a deep love for both America and the State of Israel. He often said, “Israel is the Jewish people’s insurance policy,” and he took every opportunity he could to strengthen it. A leader in the Jewish community in Bergen County, NJ, Hal created events for the United Jewish Communities and AIPAC that brought national and internation leaders to Bergen County to raise money and build support for Israel. That commitment is part of Hal’s legacy. Continuing through his children and grandchildren to this day. Hal’s love for America was every bit as strong. The American flag always flew proudly in front of his home and each Thanksgiving started with a rousing rendition of “God Bless America”

Sports were a livelong passion. For Hal, sports were about more than the game; they were a way to spend time with the people he loved. Hal captained the state championship basketball team at Milford Prep in Milford, Connecticut. He went on to attend the University of Wisconsin and earned his degree from Fairleigh Dickinson University. He coached and sponsored his son’s little League teams and ensured that girls could play in the league before it was commonly accepted. Ha was always there to stand beside those who were often afraid to stand up for themselves, whether standing guard at a synagogue that had been under attack in Paris or making sure boys and girls no other coach wanted were put on his baseball team. Victory was not measured to him by wins but by the positive experiences and support he tried to provide to kids from many different backgrounds.

Running errands with Hal always meant running into people and hearing a passionate, “Hey Hal!” when he walked in. Hal always had his people, and they loved him. He always said, “Don’t follow the sheep,” and he certainly did not. That made all the difference. Hal was truly one-of-one. There will never be another Hal Stark.

Relatives and friends are invited to graveside services on Friday, September 18, 2026, at 10 A.M. at Roosevelt Memorial Park, 2701 Old Lincoln Highway, Trevose, PA 19053. Shiva will be observed at the Clubhouse at Oakwood Terrace. Contributions in his memory may be made to Friends of the IDF (FIDF), https://www.fidf.org, or Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network (BCAN), https://bcan.org