Robert Oshins

Robert Oshins resident of Melbourne, FL and Silver Bay, Lake George, NY, passed away on January 31, 2019 at the age of 85. He was born in Brooklyn, NY on February 3, 1933, son of Harry Oshinsky and Frieda Sobolsky, both immigrants from Russia.

He graduated from Brooklyn College and University of Pennsylvania's graduate program in Physical Therapy. At Brooklyn College he was on the fencing team with his lifelong friend, Edward Nober and also met and fell in love with his future wife, Natalie Bragin, also a physical therapist. One evening, after he could not find a parking spot in Brooklyn, he moved to Schenectady NY, where he established a private physical therapy office in Child's Hospital in Albany, NY. He remains a life member of Congregation Agudat Achim in Schenectady where, in 1980, he started a new tradition, the Carrot Festival, which continues to be their major fundraiser to this day.

Bob and Natalie raised their four children in that loving community. They sold their successful practice in 1990. Unfortunately, Bob suffered a major stroke in 1991, curtailing their plans to travel the world. As part of his rehabilitation, he took art lessons and became an accomplished artist and weaver, making the tallitot for each of his nine grandchildren when they became Bar and Bat Mitzvah.

To avoid the winters, Bob and Natalie moved to Florida, eventually settling at the Fountains, a senior living facility in Melbourne, FL. He is a member of Temple Beth Sholom and the Jewish Federation of Brevard. Bob and Natalie’s house in Lake George was a source of inspiration for the many, many paintings he continued to paint until his death. It was a gathering place for not only his family and friends, but also his children's friends and friends of friends. He also loved to play bridge. This past year marked Bob and Natalie’s 64th wedding anniversary.

He was predeceased by his brother, Leonard. In addition to his wife, Natalie, he leaves his children, Cary Oshins (Elizabeth Hyde) of Santa Cruz, CA, Ellen Oshins (Marylou Impellizeri) of New York City, Michael Oshins (Alison Kur) of Newton, MA, and Bonnie Nolan (Michael Nolan) of Chicago, IL, and nine grandchildren; Rebecca, Jacob, Samuel, Abigail, Jeremy, Zachary Oshins and Bessie, Benjamin and Jack Nolan and many nieces, nephews and other family members and friends.