Harold A. Esannason

Harold A. Esannason was born in Harlem, New York, on October 4, 1938, to William A. Esannason and Mary Rebecca Leonard Esannason, shortly before the onset of World War II. The second son in the family, Harold and his brother Donald attended New York City public schools, where Harold's artistic talent emerged at an early age. Recognized for his exceptional ability in fine arts, he received a scholarship as a young student to study painting at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City. A gifted graphic designer as well, Harold later attended college to further develop his artistic and design skills, ultimately leaving a lasting impact on both the art world and the African American community.

In the late 1950s and early 1960s, Harold was drafted into the United States Army. Before completing basic training, he was selected to serve as a classified illustrator for the United States Army War College, a distinction that reflected his extraordinary artistic abilities. Following his military service, he worked as an illustrator for the New York City Department of Health. During this same period, he exhibited and sold his paintings in galleries throughout Harlem and Brooklyn, as well as in well-known African American restaurants and cultural establishments.

Harold later became Graphic Director for the New York City Human Resources Administration under Mayor John Lindsay. During this time, he designed and built his family home in Westchester County after relocating from the Bronx. In addition to his professional work, he dedicated himself to community-based artistic and publishing projects, redesigning publications for numerous local organizations and initiatives. He also became actively involved with ACBAW (Association of Community Based Artists of Westchester), an arts organization in Mount Vernon.

Harold's life took a dramatic turn following a ski weekend trip with a social group from Brooklyn. Seeing a unique opportunity, he left his position with New York City in the early 1970s to establish what would become the largest African American ski tour company in the world: Black International Leisure. As the organization grew in popularity among skiers of all backgrounds, the company was renamed International Leisure Ltd. to reflect its broader, inclusive mission of bringing people together through travel and winter sports.

Through International Leisure, Harold introduced thousands of people to skiing by organizing Ski & Music Festivals at renowned French ski resorts such as Avoriaz and La Plagne. He later expanded the experience to the world-famous resort of St. Moritz in the Swiss Alps, long known as a destination for international celebrities and affluent travelers. He also brought the festival experience to Quebec, Canada, transforming Mount Ste-Anne into a vibrant Ski & Music Festival destination. These events allowed countless East Coast skiers to experience the culture and excitement of international ski travel closer to home. Under Harold's leadership, International Leisure earned a distinguished reputation for providing first-class ski vacations at premier destinations around the globe.

In the mid-1980s, Harold returned to graphic design and publishing, producing dynamic publications for organizations, churches, and businesses throughout Westchester County. In 1992, he collaborated with his close friend and acclaimed artist Vinnie Bagwell on a proposal submitted to the Yonkers branch of the NAACP to create a publication documenting the history of African Americans in Yonkers, New York. Together, they co-wrote and Harold designed and published the acclaimed work A Study of African American Life in Yonkers From the Turn of the Century. The publication became highly sought after, with requests from individuals and libraries across the country.

In 1994, Harold was invited to help produce a book highlighting the lives and contributions of African Americans in White Plains, New York. He co-wrote, designed, and published the coffee-table book On the Streets Where We Lived, which reached audiences across racial and cultural lines and achieved national recognition. The New York Public Library acquired several copies for its permanent collection.

Harold later continued this important historical work through another major publication, Our Roots Run Deep, a pictorial coffee-table book chronicling African American life throughout the Town of Greenburgh, New York. Produced in collaboration with community organizations, the book documented the rich history, contributions, and enduring legacy of Black residents across the villages of Greenburgh, while also highlighting many notable African American celebrities and public figures who called the area home.

Harold A. Esannason leaves behind a remarkable legacy of artistry, entrepreneurship, cultural preservation, and community leadership. He is survived by his longtime companion, Judith Shaw; his sons, Marc and Carlo Esannason; and his daughters, Stacy McCallister and Alexia Esannason. He is also survived by his grandsons Gerald Esannason Jr., Tyree and Najee McCallister, Quincy and Cameron Montrose; his granddaughters Ebony Esannason, Tamika Esannason, Tatiana McCallister, Amira-Yeman Esannason, and Alisa Esannason; his nephew Donald P. Esannason; his niece Susan Esannason; and many beloved relatives and lifelong friends.