Gordon H. Safran

Gordon was born in Cleveland in 1935 and grew up in Cleveland Heights, graduating from Cleveland Heights High School. He celebrated his Bar Mitzvah at Park Synagogue and graduated from Ohio Northern University with a bachelor’s degree in pharmacy. He was and always will be a devoted member of the Alpha Epsilon Pi Fraternity. He met the love of his life, Evie Safran on a blind date during the summer before his sophomore year of college. It was love at first sight and they were married at Anshe Chesed Fairmount Temple in 1957. Gordon loved his family and happily spent many years taking his 4 children to county fairs all over the state of Ohio.

Gordon Safran began his career as a pharmacist and moved his way up to managing the Gray Drug Store at E 140th and Kinsman. Gordon was recruited to the start-up, Sears Optical stores. This was where Gordon began to learn the optical industry and helped grow the beginnings of Sears Optical. He was quite successful and then joined a small optical store chain known as E.B. Brown Optical. Gordon purchased the company in 1985 when there were then 20 stores. Gordon worked hard and grew the optical and hearing company up to 42 stores throughout Ohio and Pennsylvania and sold the company in 1996. Gordon always loved the countryside and had purchased a home in Burton in Geauga County. He always joked that he wanted to build a Bed and Breakfast out in the area, and with no prior hospitality experience, he built the 18 room Red Maple Inn in 2000. He loved the Red Maple Inn and enjoyed making his guests happy and relaxed. He would regularly be seen visiting his guests in the dining room during breakfast. The Inn ran for 20 years and it was a magical place. As Gordon’s Parkinson’s disease continued to get worse, he sold the Inn in 2020 to the McIntyre Center which services adults with substance abuse challenges. He felt good knowing that the Inn would still support people and improve their lives.

Gordon had a very active life as a lay leader in the Jewish and general communities. He took on many leadership opportunities and really made a difference for so many people over the years. He is a lifetime trustee of Menorah Park and served on the Board of the Agnon School, a past chairman of the Beachwood Civil Service Commission and board member of Fairmount Temple. As emeritus trustee, Gordon was active throughout his adult life with the Jewish Community Federation chairing numerous committees and always involved with the Campaign. In 2006, he was honored with the Gries Family Award for his involvement in the Jewish and general community. He was the Board Chair of the Cleveland Sight Center and most importantly, he was Santa Claus for their annual kids Christmas party for over 30 years. Gordon spent time with each child and got to know many of them personally throughout the years. He also sponsored their Christmas Party in July at the Highbrook Lodge for many years making sure that each child got a special present. Gordon served as President of the Mandel JCC during the time of the capital campaign raising dollars for the new building in Beachwood. He is most proud that the land on the west side of the campus has been named ‘Safran Park.’ He loved thinking about his park being enjoyed by all of the kids playing and attending camp at the JCC in the future. Gordon was a founder and made a lifetime Board member of the DDC Clinic in Middlefield Ohio. The Clinic serves children and adults (mostly Amish) with rare genetic disorders out in Geauga County. Gordon loved this organization and felt especially close to everyone involved at DDC. Everyone was always amazed at the energy and commitment that Gordon had given to his community.

Gordon H. Safran beloved husband of Evie (nee Kahn). Preceded in death by his sister Saydell (Allan) Robbins. Loving father of Mindy (Martin) Davidson, Neil Safran, Lee (Nicholas Wellington) Safran and Haleigh (Glenn) Raff. Devoted grandfather of Jess (Collin) Fernandes, Mikey (Ashleigh) Davidson, Jordan Wellington, Luca Safran-Wellington, Parker Raff and Lainey Raff. Great grandfather of Isaac. Adored caregiver, Gabriela Chirila.

Services will be held Thursday, March 28 at 1PM at the Anshe Chesed Fairmount Temple 23737 Fairmount Blvd. Beachwood, Ohio. Interment at Mayfield Cemetery.

Family will receive friends at the residence of Dr. Cheryl and Dr. Robert Stern 4900 Glengary Ln. Pepper Pike, Ohio 44124 (Sterling Lakes) THURSDAY FOLLOWING SERVICES UNTIL 8PM, FRIDAY 1PM-4PM AND SUNDAY 1PM-4PM.

Friends who wish may contribute to DDC Clinic for Children’s Needs (www.ddcclinic.org), Friends of Fairmount Temple c/o Anshe Chesed Fairmount Temple (www.fairmounttemple.org), Cleveland Sight Center (www.clevelandsightcenter.org) or the Mandel JCC (www.mandeljcc.org).

Friends who are not able to attend the service may view it Thursday, March 28 at 1PM by going to www.fairmounttemple.org/worship/live-stream and select chapel.