Morris Gliklich

Businessman, Holocaust Survivor, Beloved Family Man

Morris Gliklich, a Holocaust survivor, U.S. Army veteran, entrepreneur, and devoted family man, passed away peacefully at the age of 93. His life was a testament to resilience, faith, and unwavering love for family and community.

Born in 1932 in Nisko, Poland, Morris’s early childhood was shattered by the Nazi invasion in September 1939. Fleeing the German forces, he and his family fled to the Russian border, where they were captured and sent to Soviet labor camps deep in Siberia. There, Morris and his family endured brutal cold, hard labor, and disease. He emerged with a strength of character that would define his life.

After the war, he spent 6 years in German displaced persons camps before finally immigrating to the United States on June 1, 1951, settling in New Jersey. In 1954, he enlisted in the U.S. Army, where his self-taught radio skills and fluency in seven languages led him to serve in counterintelligence operations in Germany. He was honorably discharged in 1956.

Later that year, a blind date introduced him to Betty Leffenfeld, with whom he married and raised three children together. With the support of the GI Bill, Morris earned an electrical engineering degree from Newark College of Engineering and embarked on a long and successful business career. He built and ran several businesses in electronics and appliances—including Regal Magnavox, Regal Magnamart, and Topline—and was an active real estate investor. He also served as CFO of DMI, one of the largest electronics buying cooperatives in the Northeastern U.S.

Throughout his life, Morris remained grounded in the two things he carried with him from Europe: his faith and his family. He was also known for his loyalty and deep commitment to the people around him.

Morris was predeceased by his beloved wife Betty and son Howard. He is survived by Claire Kreitman and by his children Richard Gliklich (Laurie) and Donna Karp (Michael); his grandchildren Nathan Gliklich, Marni Gliklich Mackey (Mark), Adam Karp (Shayna), Genna Karp Shriber (Jeremy), Emily Gliklich, Jennifer Gliklich, and Benjamin Gliklich.

The family will be receiving guests on Friday from 8:15AM to 8:45 AM at the Bernheim Apter Kreitzman Suburban Funeral Chapel 68 Old Short Hills Road, Livingston, NJ, followed by a funeral service at 9:00 AM. Burial will take place at Beth Israel Cemetery,1098 Woodbridge Center Drive, Woodbridge, NJ.