On Monday, hundreds of people crowded the chapel at Hillside Memorial Park and Mortuary for the funeral of Harrison Greenberg, the oldest son of Skechers President Michael Greenberg.
Greenberg passed away on April 6 at the age of 19.
He was on vacation in Thailand when he “suffered a tragic and sudden choking accident that inexplicably took this vibrant and happy young man from us far too soon,” the family said in a statement.
Greenberg was taking a break with his cousin Colton Greenberg from a four-month internship in China.
Rabbi Yossi Mintz officiated Monday’s ceremony. Only a month ago, Mintz presided with Michael Greenberg over the presentation of money raised by the Skechers Pier to Pier Friendship Walk. Mintz accepted a check on behalf of the Friendship Circle, an organization for special needs children, which he convinced Michael Greenberg to become involved with.
Friends and family described Harrison as a strong-willed young man who loved boating, fishing and technology.
His grandfather Harvey Turrell recalled the time Harrison fought a 50-pound tuna for 45 minutes, refusing any help. Once the fish was caught, Harrison couldn’t let go of the fishing rod.
“I hope you’re partying, fishing and jetskiing to your heart’s delight,” said Turrell.
Harrison’s mother and father both spoke, choking into sobs. His mother said she wanted to speak because she wanted to tell the world about her son. They both described him as a handful to manage as a child.
“Harrison defied the rules whenever possible just to experience the opposition,” said Wendy Greenberg. “Michael and I always said he was like raising three children.”
She related her joy at watching him mature into a driven young man.
“He wanted to make it in business in a big way, and to make his mother, father and grandfather proud,” she said. “I was so looking forward to seeing all he was going to accomplish in life, to make a big imprint on the world.”
Speaking to her son, she said, “I’m sure you’re up in heaven right now throwing one hell of a party.”
Michael Greenberg wasn’t scheduled to speak, but decided to do so last minute, he said.
“I was devastated when my brother Scott called to give me the news,” he said. “I still don’t believe it. In the last few days, I’ve told people if he was here, I would kill him. I would’ve told him he was grounded permanently.”
Greenberg shared his joy at his son’s interest in the family business.
“As he was growing up, becoming a man, he would sit in meetings and make me so proud,” he said.
Harrison often accompanied his father on business trips around the world, according to Michael.
After everyone had spoken, a slideshow of photos of Harrison on a boat and in front of the Manhattan Beach Pier was projected as the song “Monster” by Rihanna and Eminem played.
The program noted that a memorial fund had been set up at harrisongreenbergmemorialfund.mydagsite.com. As of Monday night, $45,421 had been pledged to refurbish the Roundhouse Aquarium in honor of Harrison’s love of marine life and the ocean.
Greenberg studied management at Loyola Marymount University last fall, though he wasn’t currently enrolled, according to the school.
He got his first job at the age of 15 at the Manhattan Beach Skechers store as a sales associate, according to the site for the memorial fund.
He is survived by his mother, father, grandparents, younger sister MacKenna and younger brother Chase.
An Instagram post from Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport in China three weeks ago showed Harrison with planes in the background.
“Don’t tell me how educated you are, tell me how much you traveled because the world is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page,” said the caption. ER
