Malcolm Elsoffer

Malcolm Sheldon Elsoffer, 87, Shaker Heights, passed away Monday, February 2, 2015. Malcolm was born in Cleveland, Ohio on July 30, 1927 to Arthur and Josephine. Malcolm graduated from Cleveland Heights High School and was drafted into the U.S. Army Air Corp, where he served at the air force base in Spokane, Washington for a year and half. He continued his education on scholarship at Adelbert College of the Case Western Reserve University, where he graduated magna cum laude with a degree in Business Administration. Malcolm continued his education and graduated from Harvard Law School. Malcolm passed the Ohio State Bar Exam. Malcolm then joined in partnership in the family business, Imperial Sportswear Company in Cleveland, with his father, Arthur, and brother, Jim until the business was sold in 1980. Malcolm continued his career in business in the brokerage industry, where he spent the next 31 years as a financial advisor at Merrill Lynch. Malcolm enjoyed his career in the financial industry. The personal relationships created lasted his lifetime. Malcolm married Louise Jean Blum in 1958. Together they traveled the world. Malcolm’s love for travel was insatiable. Louise made reservations and Malcolm delivered the itinerary. Their “marriage lasted 55 years and they did it all!” Malcolm was the true “Cleveland man”; he loved the beauty of all seasons. He was an avid rose bush and cherry tomato gardener and had a great love for dogs. Malcolm loved the arts and enjoyed listening to music; a symphony performance at Severance Hall, a play at the Playhouse Theater or a trip to the Shakespeare Shaw Festival where among his destinations. Malcolm, in his 60s, took up step aerobics. Sculpture and painting became his next hobbies, followed by playwriting. In his 70s, it was winter vacations in Palm Springs. Malcolm was an enormous intellect, with an elephant’s memory (the elephant being his favorite symbol of uniqueness and strength). Malcolm was the ultimate storyteller, with a joke always ready. Malcolm rose early and worked late, but never missed a good time. Malcolm enjoyed hanging out by the pool at the Oakwood Club, while listening to books on tape. Malcolm may not have been much of a golfer, but always considered a drive over the flower bed in front of the tee box a great accomplishment. Good friends from Cleveland Heights, Case Western Reserve University, Harvard, the knitwear industry, friends from travel, and the Oakwood Club all played an integral part in weaving the fabric of his life. Malcolm was a charitable man. The organizations he supported are too many to list. From the American Civil Liberties Association to his Jewish Federation Philanthropic Fund, Malcolm had a genuine interest in the welfare of others. Malcolm lived in a social world, loved life, had great pride in his family, and left us peacefully on Monday, February 2, on what will be his great eternal vacation! Malcolm is survived by his wife Louise (nee Blum), children Jeff (Debbie) Elsoffer, Andrew (Jacalyn) Elsoffer, and Lisa Elsoffer, grandchildren Lenny, Joey, and Elizabeth Elsoffer. He was preceded in death by his brother Jim Elsoffer. Services will be held Thursday February 5 at 1 PM at the ANSHE CHESED FAIRMOUNT TEMPLE 23737 Fairmount Blvd. Beachwood,OH. Interment Mayfield Cemetery. Family will receive friends at the Mayfield Sand Ridge Club 1545 Sheridan Rd. South Euclid, OH. THURSDAY 4 PM-8 PM. Friends who wish may contribute to the Louise and Malcolm Elsoffer Philanthropic Fund c/o The Jewish Community Federation of Cleveland.