Naugatuck Loses Rosenblatt's Dept. Store Icon to Cancer

NAUGATUCK,CT - The borough of Naugatuck has lost another icon. Howard Rosenblatt, the face of Rosenblatt's Department Store for many years, has died.

Mr. Rosenblatt's wife Julie posted this announcement on Facebook yesterday:

Rest In Peace Howie. You fought cancer the best you could. You always compared everything to running a race. You had the toughest marathon ever and gave it your best shot. You are now at peace at the finish line and you will forever be loved by many. Love you forever my best friend, husband, brother, dad, and papa.

Mr. Rosenblatt's daughter Jennifer Rosenblatt Gampel wrote this about her father:

He was more than my Dad. He was my coach, my number one fan, and most recently the so loved “Papa” of my girls. Life will definitely not be the same without him. I only hope to provide the unconditional support and love he always had for me to my own girls and family . This isn’t the finish line just the start to the next race

The family has expressed their gratitude for "all the kind words about a kind man."

In lieu of food and flowers, Mrs. Rosenblatt is setting up a scholarship at Naugatuck Adult & Continuing Education to honor her husband's memory. "He always loved the work we all did there and admired our many graduates who overcame obstacles and succeeded. It was his favorite graduation ceremony," she writes.

Due to personal reasons Rosenblatt's Dept. Store is closed indefinitely. More info about the scholarship and the obituary will be posted in a few days.