Irwin M Brafman

Irwin Brafman, 92, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family on January 1, 2019. A husband, father of two, grandfather of four and great-grandfather of six, Irwin was the chairman of Bell Container Corp. of Newark, New Jersey, one of the largest corrugated box manufacturers in the New York tri-state region.

Born in Bronx, New York on February 16, 1926, Irwin was raised by his parents, Ida and Nathan, in a small apartment on Pelham Parkway with his two siblings Sylvia and Phillip. Irwin was the baby of the family, and his sister was like a second mother to him. Irwin’s father was a tailor by trade. His strong work ethic, and deep sense of responsibility to the Jewish immigrant community of New York, were great inspirations to Irwin throughout his life.

Irwin graduated from St. John’s University with a degree in accounting. He met and married the love of his life, Marilyn, in 1948. The two were introduced through mutual friends in their close-knit Bronx neighborhood. Marilyn and Irwin made their first home in the Bronx, and had two beautiful daughters, Joanne and Cindy.

During his family-building years, Irwin became office manager for Shelton Box Company of Newark, NJ. One of the great accomplishments of his life was, together with his partners, purchasing the company in 1981. They renamed the business Bell Container, and Irwin served as president and later chairman, helping build the company into the $100 million-dollar thriving enterprise it is today.

Irwin was a man who put his family first. It gave him great pleasure to share in his success with his loved ones. As his business grew, Irwin proudly moved his family to the quiet suburbs of Paramus, New Jersey, where his girls finished high school and moved on to college. In their fifties, and already young grandparents, he and Marilyn built their dream home in Wyckoff, New Jersey. In later years, the couple split their time between Cliffside Park, New Jersey and their beautiful home in Boynton Beach, Florida, before establishing their permanent residence in the Sunshine State.

Always quick with a joke, Irwin could command a room with his unique mix of wit and formidable intelligence. With his father as his constant inspiration, his generous spirit was felt by all. He loved to watch football and baseball, was a prolific reader of nonfiction, followed the market, and was engaged in current events up until the very end. Even still, nothing gave him more pleasure than the simple, loving, everyday moments he shared with his Marilyn, as well as visits with his children and their growing families.

Irwin is survived by Marilyn, his daughter Joanne and husband Lawrence Rosten, daughter Cindy Finestine and husband Norman, grandchildren Rachel Lohman and husband David, Matthew Rosten and wife Dawn, David Winkler and wife Raffaella Santucci and Jason Winkler and wife Jessica. Among them are six great-grandchildren, Max, 10, Jack, 10, Lily, 9, Olivia, 8, Jamison 4, and Juliet, 2. Irwin will be fondly remembered by his family, including his many nieces and nephews, his colleagues, employees and many friends.