He was born on December 19, 1928 and graduated from Utica College in 1950 as part of the first full graduating class. He founded Klein’s All Sports, the “Unbeatable Hometown” sporting goods store, in 1948 and grew the operation to 14 stores in Upstate New York and Western Massachusetts. He was a skilled string bass player and lover of music, golf, and travel, especially to Old Forge, New York, and Israel. He had allegiances to the Masons (Moriah Lodge), the Shriners (Ziyara Temple, Potentate in 1983), the Rotary Club, Kiwanis International, Temples Beth El and Emanuel in Utica, and Temple Beth Am in Jupiter, Florida.
Donald Klein is survived by his wife, Josephine, of Utica, whom he loved dearly for 65 years of marriage. He is also survived by three children (Neal Klein and wife Sue, Sara Brill and husband Allen, and Andrew Klein and wife Julianne), six grandchildren (Michael Harrigan and wife Laura, Lauren Desjardins and husband Michael, Rachel Lipshutz and husband Scott, Emily Brill, Matthew Klein, and Ethan Klein), and seven great grandchildren.
A private funeral will be held on Wednesday, December 8, 2021 in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. Donations in memory of Donald Klein can be made to Hadassah (https://www.hadassah.org/) or to the charity of your choice.
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