Mariner Cove and the Town of Corte Madera lost a genuine local hero when Harry Schriebman, age 97, died at his home on April 21, 2020, after a brave struggle with Parkinson’s disease.  He is survived by his beloved wife of 74 years, Annette, as well as his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.  Our heartfelt condolences are with his family.  

 

Harry, a long-time resident of Mariner Cove, was a founder of the Mariner Cove Neighborhood Association and the very first person in town to receive The Corte Madera Lifetime Achievement Award, an honor reserved for only the most special residents of Corte Madera.

 

Harry always said that “a knowledgeable population is good for the Town,” and he made sure to know as much as he could about the needs of both our neighborhood and our town as he worked for what he believed was best for his community.  He followed local politics with great gusto and enthusiasm.  Over the years he played a crucial role in helping Mariner Cove advocate for much-needed neighborhood improvements and in developing what would become Mariner Cove’s highly regarded Neighborhood Response Group.  

 

Harry was born September 21, 1922, in Oakland and raised in Los Angeles.  After high school, Harry and his brother hitchhiked to San Francisco because they couldn’t afford to pay for a bus ticket.  Although Harry had only 35 dollars in his pocket when he landed in the Bay Area, he soon found work and began to make his way when, suddenly, Pearl Harbor changed everything.  Harry enlisted and ultimately served as a Captain in U.S. Army in Europe during World War II.  He described the mud on his boots there as so thick that he stood several inches taller.  Soon after the war ended, Harry, wearing his officer’s uniform, met Annette Sabel at a dance, and the two were married three months later, on July 6, 1946.  

 

In 1977, Harry and Annette moved into their home in Mariner Cove.  It didn't take long for Harry to become deeply involved in the Mariner Cove community.  Severe flooding in 1980 caused serious infrastructure problems within the neighborhood.  Harry, along with Rosa Thomas and others, identified the need for a new neighborhood association (even though prior attempts had not been successful).  Harry said he figured it was time for the "the East Side” to have better representation with the Town of Corte Madera, and he thought a new neighborhood association would be a good way to create some “political clout.”  

 

Harry and his friends called a meeting, 20 people showed up, and the Mariner Cove Neighborhood Association was born.  Harry regularly attended meetings of the Corte Madera Town Council in addition to meetings of numerous Town Boards, Commissions, and Committees, giving Mariner Cove a strong and persistent voice in local government.  Harry admits he was a bit of a “ loose cannon” at times, but he got results.  The Town heard Harry and ultimately implemented measures to address flood control and other infrastructure problems in Mariner Cove.  Today, the MCNA has over 200 members and continues to provide Mariner Cove residents with a voice in local government, disaster preparedness, and social activities.

 

In 2000, Harry and Annette were named Corte Madera's Senior Citizens of the Year, serving as Grand Marshalls in the Town's Fourth of July parade.  They loved to travel and were frequent Elderhostel students, studying abroad and visiting historic U.S. sites.  Harry carried his favorite photo of Annette in his wallet for his entire life. 

 

Harry was a true Mariner Cove treasure.  Without him, the MCNA as we know it would not exist.  We are forever grateful to Harry for setting such a strong example of community involvement for others to follow.  The Mayor of Mariner Cove will be deeply missed by us all.

 

Bill Kimball

MCNA President, 2019-2020

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