Isidore Katz

Isidore “Izu” Katz---Saturday, October 3, 1925-Thursday, December 22, 2022 at 10:27 A.M. Isidore, husband of Rose (Ducor) of Flushing, Fresh Meadows, New York, father of Renee Katz-Packer (husband Barry Packer) of Flushing, New York, and Robert Katz (partner Conrad Cummings) of Brooklyn, New York, grandfather of Ethan Borst of Great Neck, New York; brother of Feri Katz of Brooklyn, New York. Son of the late Avram Katz and Regina (Weinberger) and pre-deceased by brothers Martin and Tibor and sister Chava who, along with Regina, were all lost in the Holocaust. Uncle of Rivka Steinmetz (husband Chaim) of Brooklyn, New York and Avraham Katz (wife Chava) of Monsey, New York; great-uncle to several great-nieces and great-nephews and cousin to many around the world.

Born in Halmeu, Satu Mare, Romania, Isidore, who also went by Izydor, was a Holocaust survivor, having lived through Concentration Camp Auschwitz-Birkenau, Concentration Camp Gross Rosen/Subcamp Dyhemfurth II, Concentration Camp Mittlebau/Subcamp Harzungen, and Concentration Camp Bergen-Belsen. According to his Displaced Persons Registration Card, at the young age of 19, in July 1945, he had already started paving his career path that would last more than seven decades in the field of creating clothing; as at this time he was a tailor, who was also able to speak Romanian, German, Hungarian, and Polish.

Isidore was liberated to Camp Hassleholm in Sweden in 1945. He remained there until he came to New York in 1952.

When he arrived in New York, he started as a factory sweeper, used his European tailoring excellence to become a tailor, then attended Fashion Institute of Technology and, eventually became a pattern maker owning his own business; whose clients included Cirque de Soleil, Ralph Lauren and Jordache. Yet, even though he was associated with these prominent people, and he had his factory directly below the recording studio belonging to rock star Meatloaf, he took more glory in the relationships he built with the local mechanics, the produce worker in the grocery store, the gardener, the waiter in the diner, and a myriad of other individuals. He would always want to know about them and their families, where they were from; and instantly there was that connection.

Isidore had five passions---his family, his friends, his Judaism and support of Israel, his synagogue, and his garden; which flourished in the backyard of his Flushing, Queens home, and, unbelievably produced a plethora of tomatoes, cucumbers, potatoes, okra, parsley, cherries, grapes, figs, peaches, plums, and butternut squash that every year he thoughtfully gave to family, friends and neighbors, as well as donating them to Temple Beth Sholom of Flushing for the shul’s annual bazaar, so that it could be turned into butternut squash soup as part of the fundraiser.

But, that was Isidore. His generosity, right up until the very end, was immeasurable. And, he never wanted to slow down. He loved spending summer days at Jones Beach, having meals at the diner, vacationing in The Catskills, and even laying out on his beach chair on mounds of snow in his backyard garden on sunny winter days. At age 87, he even went out and bought a brand new red Chevy Cruze; as he felt the need to still be able to get around on his own, and he continued to drive until he was 93. That desire, along with his dedication to his family, was shown in the winter of 2016/2017. For his beloved Rose was in the hospital and rehabilitation from December 16 until February 14. During that time, the only day he missed getting himself over to visit her was the day before Rose was coming home---just so he could ready the house for her. This was all done while he was 91.

But, that shouldn’t be surprising. He and Rose had a special love affair. Having met at a dance, they were married in June of 1960, honeymooned in Puerto Rico and traveled the world together over the next 62 years, including trips to visit his dear family in Israel and one time back to his native Romania; where he visited the town he grew up in. And, while the only person from his immediate family who essentially survived the overtaking of his homeland was his older brother Feri, wherever they were, family was everything to Isidore.

Again, that was Isidore. He always looked out for everyone and cared about everybody. This could even be said during his last days at North Shore University Hospital and at the Stern Family Center for Rehabilitation; which was the same hospital and rehab facility that Rose was at six years earlier. When the weather was a bit cooler, he told his short-sleeved nurse that she needed to make sure she stayed warm and put on long sleeves or a jacket; which was one of many reasons his doctor said to his children “your dad is an amazing individual, not withstanding his age and physical limitations. It’s an experience and honor for me to be his doctor.”

Isidore was buried at Beth Israel Cemetery alongside Rose’s parents.

A funeral service for Isidore was held Tuesday, December 27, 2022 at Temple Beth Sholom, 171-39 Northern Blvd, Flushing, NY 11358. Committal service was at Beth Israel Cemetery, 1098 Woodbridge Center Drive, Woodbridge Township, NJ 07095.