Harold Terchin’s passion was the theater. He starred in more than 60 community theater productions, commercials and television shows.
Mr. Terchin, 83, of Skokie, died of pulmonary fibrosis Monday, March 18, in Rush North Shore Medical Center in Skokie.
During World War II, Mr. Terchin was awarded the Silver Star for valor while serving in the South Pacific as an Army Air Forces C-47 crew chief, said his wife of 56 years, Lorraine.
After the war, he worked in sales in the garment industry and later became a partner in Architectural Bronze and Aluminum Corp., a Skokie-based bronze plaque company. In the 1970s, he entered the jewelry business, working for Chicago Watch and Jewelry on Wabash Avenue in Chicago.
He juggled acting with his day job and continued acting after retiring from the jewelry business.
Mr. Terchin was in his 30s when he first started acting in community theater. For his professional debut, at the age of 65, he won a Joseph Jefferson Award for best actor in a supporting role in the Chicago play, “Broadway Bound.”
“He loved acting,” said his wife. “It started with the community theater in Skokie.”
He appeared in such plays as “Death of a Salesman,” “Streetcar Named Desire” and “All My Sons.” He also appeared in episodes of “America’s Most Wanted,” “Early Edition” and “The Magic Door.”
“He had a real gift,” said his son-in-law, R.F. Daley.
In addition to his wife, survivors include two sons, Terry and Jeffrey; a daughter, Nancy Daley; two sisters, Gloria Block and Gerri Shakman; and 10 grandchildren.
Services will be held at 3 p.m. Thursday in Weinstein Family Services, 111 Skokie Blvd., Wilmette.
