Arthur Ivan Milstein

Art was deeply loved by a huge extended family. His parents were immigrants from Poland, Pesach and Chanah Levine Milstein. He grew up in the Bronx, New York, graduating from Dewitt Clinton High School and attending New York University.

He devoted his time to Big Brothers Big Sisters, and owned and operated a dry-cleaning business in Shaker Heights, Ohio. His expertise in the jewelry business started in Dallas. He was recruited by Houston Jewelry, but his greatest professional success was with Hanson Galleries, where he continued his passion of mentoring young people, and which he and his wife Donna built, owned, operated, expanded, and grew to national recognition. In 2002 they were awarded the Top Retailer of American Craft in the United States by Niche Magazine. They were also the first craft gallery in the United States to have a presence on the internet and the first to have a location inside a major mall, The Galleria Mall.

Art’s favorite travel destination was Hawaii, where he and Donna eloped 48 years ago (one year after meeting) under the famous banyan tree in Courthouse Square, Lahaina, Maui. The family also greatly enjoyed snorkeling and scuba diving in the Cayman Islands. He considered going to Israel one of the highlights of his life.

Art was a great storyteller and jokester, the life of the party. He had such a powerful presence and charisma that people gathered around him at every social event, just to enjoy his company. He was also marvelously kind. Even when he needed to use a cane, he insisted on helping friends on walkers. He was socially delightful, but also enjoyed the solitary endeavor of restoring classic cars. He was an avid reader, sometimes simultaneously reading four books a week, and attended the opera for many decades, even as a child. He was also adventuresome, professionally racing cars and jumping out of airplanes with a skydiving club.

He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Rose Liebman Milstein, his mother-in-law and father-in-law, Jo Ann and Clifford Wolfson, brother-in-law James C. Wolfson, and 20 first cousins who were all first-generation American born.

He is survived by his loving wife Donna Wolfson Milstein, daughter Anya Rebecca Milstein and three grandchildren Jacob, Nathaniel, and Ayla of New Jersey, cousin Norma Trusch of Houston, sister-in-law Vivian Bowmer Wolfson of Dallas, nieces and nephews Elliot Liebman and wife Lillian of Cleveland, Brenda Greenblatt of Cleveland, Scott Wolfson of Atlanta, and Brett Wolfson and wife Tracy of Houston.

In lieu of flowers, a contribution may be made in honor of Arthur Milstein to the Holocaust Museum of Houston or the charity of your choice.

A graveside service was held on Thursday, December 14th at 2:00pm at Emanu El Memorial Park in Houston, TX. Contributing to the family’s private service was Art’s cousin, Rabbi Matthew Trusch. A celebration of life will be held on Sunday January 14th at 2:00pm at Four-Leaf Towers.

The family wishes to thank Lotus Hospice and Cupics Companions for their exemplary assistance during Art’s last 6 weeks of life.