Harold Albinder, lifelong champion of the apple industry, was 87

Harold Albinder, a pioneering figure in New York’s apple industry, died peacefully June 21. He was 87. 

Known for his work ethic, humility and deep love for the land, Mr. Albinder leaves behind a legacy rooted in family, farming, and relationships.

Mr. Albinder was born April 6, 1938, in Brooklyn, NY, to Isadore and Ida Albinder. From an early age he developed a love for growing things, beginning with his windowsill garden. That passion blossomed, and following his service in the U.S. Marine Corps in the late 1950s, Mr. Albinder and his wife, Lucila, moved to the Hudson Valley to pursue a life in agriculture.  

What started as a small venture grew into Hudson River Fruit Distributors and Southern Vermont Orchards — two respected operations that helped define apple growing, packing, and shipping in the Northeast.

For over 60 years, Mr. Albinder led not through trends or technology, but through presence and personal connection. One of his favorite sayings was, “The best fertilizer a farmer can put on his farm is his shadow,” and he lived by that philosophy by walking orchards, checking fruit and connecting with the people who worked beside him. He often reminded those around him, “Poco a poco se anda lejos” — little by little, we go forward.

Mr. Albinder’s passion for apples was never just about the product — it was about the people and communities it supported. He mentored countless growers and remained a steady voice in the industry well into his later years.

He is survived by his children Danny (Susan), Lia and Ari, as well as seven grandchildren and many great-grandchildren. He also leaves thriving family business that continues to reflect his values. His legacy lives on in the orchards, in the people he touched, and in the industry he helped grow with pride and purpose.