Sylvan Conrad "Connie" Weil Jr.

Sylvan Conrad “Connie” Weil, Jr. passed away on the 5th of February 2021, at the age of 89 from complications of Covid-19. Prior to this brief illness, Connie was a remarkably active person who remained true to his core values of honesty, integrity, kindness and his overwhelming sense of family. He was a true “southern gentleman” who never met a stranger and treated everyone he knew with respect.

Connie was born on the 9th of December 1931, in Alexandria Louisiana to Sylvan Conrad Weil Sr. and Bertie Hirsch Weil, both of whom preceded him in death. An only child, Connie was the center or his parent’s world and was always considered to be a model “only child”. He graduated from Bolton High School at the age of 16 after which he attended Tulane University in New Orleans. After graduating from Tulane, Connie enlisted in the service and was commissioned as a Captain in the US Air Force being stationed in Wilmington, Ohio. He had numerous responsibilities during these two years and always joked that the only combat he experienced resulted from running the officers club at the base.

He returned to Alexandria following his military service and worked with his father and extended family in their various business interests. As luck would have it, he was ultimately set up on a blind date while visiting friends in Houston and it was this chance encounter that he met his future wife, the beautiful Diana (Dede) Miller. They married a year later and spent the next 64 years at each other’s side. They were nearly inseparable and remained deeply devoted to each other throughout their marriage. They were always seen and referred to as a couple, Connie and Dede, and not as one individual or the other. After a brief attempt at living in Alexandria following their marriage, the couple moved to Houston where they remained throughout their time together.

While in Houston, Connie briefly worked in the family business, holding various managerial positions in Gordon’s Jewelers. Ultimately, he went into business for himself, focusing on commercial real estate development. With his business partner Jerry Deutser, they formed Deutser & Weil and soon bought a large tract of land adjacent to what would ultimately become Lake Conroe. It was then, in the early 1970’s that Walden on Lake Conroe was developed and ultimately became the premier residential and resort development in the area. This successful partnership with Jerry fostered many other real estate ventures including Walden on Lake Houston and provided for a close and lasting relationship that continues to remain in existence.

To his children, Connie was the consummate father who instilled the virtues of respect for others, honesty, and a sense of family. He enjoyed spending quality time with the children on various hunting and fishing trips, family vacations and family holidays. Despite his faith in Judaism, he found great happiness in the annual Christmas Eve parties that they hosted at their home. There were never any invitations needed, everyone just knew that they were invited and were always welcome. His only known vice, other than his nightly J&B with dinner, was his commitment to health and fitness. He was one of the very first people to become a member of the Houstonian Club when it originally opened. He went there nearly every day to work out and as a result, developed numerous lifelong relationships that he greatly cherished.

Needless to say, Connie’s greatest achievement was in fulfilling his role a “Peepaw” as he was known by his grandchildren. He never missed a sporting event, recital, school ceremony, or graduation for any of his 9 grandchildren. His presence always gave everyone great joy and demonstrated his deep devotion and love for all.

Connie was indeed a selfless and charitable person who gave an enormous amount of his time and resources to a variety of charitable organizations. He served on the board of directors of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, Seven Acres, Anti-Defamation League, Congregation Beth Israel, Houston Eye Association Development Board, the Tourette’s Syndrome Foundation, and Texas Medical Center Library Board. He was also a strong supporter of the Houston Symphony, and The Retina Foundation.

He is survived by his devoted wife Diana Miller Weil (Dede) and their three children, Steven Weil Sr and his wife Debbie, Ronald Weil Sr. and his wife Lenora, Lauren Weil Friedman and her husband Dr. Jeffrey Friedman. His adoring nine grandchildren Steven Weil Jr., Brooke Weil, Lindsey Weil, McKenna Weil, Ronald Weil Jr., Miller Friedman, Megan Friedman, Emma Friedman, and Buddy Friedman.

The family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to Sherry Galentine, Myrna Mendoza, Monsie Pereda and Vanessa Young for all their friendship and loving care for Connie. As well, the family would like to express our deep appreciation to the doctors and nurses in the IMU and COVID ICU at Houston Methodist Hospital for their professional, tireless care and selfless acts of kindness during his recent illness.

Due to Covid-19 restrictions, the family gathered for a private funeral service in the Proler Chapel of Congregation Beth Israel Memorial Garden on Monday, the 8th of February 2021, where Rabbi David A. Lyon, Senior Rabbi of Congregation Beth Israel and Rabbi Adrienne P. Scott, Associate Rabbi of Congregation Beth Israel officiated.

In lieu of customary remembrances, the family requests that memorial contributions in Mr. Weil’s memory be directed to The Nursing Support Fund at Houston Methodist Hospital which supports our front-line health care workers battling the Covid-19 crisis.

Please view the recorded live-stream of Mr. Weil’s funeral service under the service section by clicking on "view video” tab below.