David Guralnik

David Guralnik, 101, of Frederick, Maryland died March 24, 2023. He was the husband of Sylvia (Freed) Guralnik. Born in Philadelphia, PA on July 20, 1921, David was the son of the late Jacob and Rose (Gurevitz) Guralnik of Philadelphia. David grew up in Philadelphia and attended Overbrook High and had many lifelong friends.

Dave was truly one of the “Greatest Generation”. He proudly served his country in World War II for four years, both in Europe and the Pacific. Although he was reluctant to share much about the war when his children were younger, he shared much more about his experiences in his later years. When David and Sylvia appeared on the Kelly Clarkson show on Veteran’s Day last November, he shared that what he really hoped for in the future was peace.

Dave married his high school sweetheart, Sylvia Freed, on March 10, 1946, less than a month after he returned home from Japan. He met Sylvia through his best friend Morris (Sylvia’s brother). Dave and Morris ran track together and there are so many stories of their adventures. Dave and Sylvia knew each other for nearly their entire lives and celebrated their 77th anniversary a few weeks ago on March 10.

Dave and Sylvia purchased a house in the Overbook Park neighborhood in West Philadelphia where they had three children, Jack, Rich, and Betsy. As their family grew, Dave and Sylvia moved to Broomall, PA where they were founding members of Beth El Suburban Synagogue and active in the community. They retired to Margate, NJ in 1994 where they resided until moving to Frederick, MD to be near their children.

Dave was one of the kindest, most appreciative people you’d ever meet. He never failed to thank anyone and everyone who he interacted with at Country Meadows Retirement Community where he lived for the last five years. The residents and staff there loved him back for being the kind and appreciative person he was. At 95, he started a veteran’s group with his friend Buck, also a WWII vet, and they invited active and retired military people from local groups to come speak at monthly luncheons that they organized with the help of staff, especially with his dear friend Debbie Savageau. A life-long volunteer for blood drives, the Wounded Warrior Project, and many other causes, he could not stop doing things in the world that matter, even at 95.

Dave was always a tremendously active person, playing baseball and running track in his younger years, and playing tennis into his 80s. It was hard for him in his 90s to not be the athletic person he had always been, but being a huge sports enthusiast, he still took great joy in watching sports on TV. He got to see his beloved Philadelphia Phillies win the World Series in 2008 and Philadelphia Eagles win the Superbowl in 2018.

There are 100 years of stories to tell about Dave, but the most important one to tell is that he was the most kind and loving husband, father, and grandfather anyone could wish for. His grandchildren adored him, and he took such pride in each of their varied and amazing accomplishments. He was devoted to Sylvia in every way, and they shared a life that was long and happy. Always funny and fun to be with, he was telling jokes and making us laugh until his last day. He was a person who gave and gave and was forever grateful for what he had.

Dave leaves behind his wife Sylvia and three children, Jack Guralnik and his wife Stacey FitzSimmons of Edgewater, MD, Rich Guralnik and his wife Roberta of Lovettsville, VA, and Betsy Guralnik Maymon and her husband Jeff of Frederick, MD. He also leaves behind six grandchildren: Ben Guralnik (wife Erica), Allaire Guralnik Rutherford (husband Dan), Jake Guralnik, Kiera Guralnik (fiancé Kyle), Alex Maymon, and Gabe Maymon.