Rowins, Harry I. of Pompano Beach, Florida, formerly of Framingham, died July 11, 2018 at home with his beloved wife of 55 years, Joyce B. (Pessin), by his side. Loving father to Caraline (and Meyer) Levy of Framingham. He is predeceased by his son James (Gail) Rowins of Winthrop. He is also predeceased by his twin brother, David (Salpi) Rowinsky of Cambridge and Max (Karen) Rowinsky . Harry and his twin brother David were born on their grandparents Mattuce and Golda Wapnirsz’s cattle farm in Mrozy near Minsk, Poland on July 6, 1937. Harry was the son of Abram and Ruth Rowinsky who escaped persecution from the Nazi’s by constantly travelling across Russia, Siberia, Iran and Uzbekistan. His baby sister, Golda, as well as his entire family died during the war in Eastern Europe. When the war was over, they lived in Poland for one year before deciding to immigrate. They relocated to Lagerlechfeld, a German displaced persons (refugee) camp for another five years before immigrating to the United States and settling in Boston. Harry has four grandchildren: Samuel and Isabelle Levy of Framingham and Jack and Cecilia Rowins of Scituate and was close with many loving nieces, nephews, in-laws, friends and neighbors.
A new immigrant, Harry worked as a grocery delivery boy while learning English at night. He then attended Mansfield Beauty Academy before becoming a hair dresser, specializing in colors and new hair style trends, often practicing his craft on his new wife. In 1968 he took over Audree Olivia Beauty Salon on Harvard St. and renamed it Studio 373 a few years later. Later, he moved the business to Beacon St. and named it Amara. In all, he was in business for over thirty years.
Harry valued the relationships he developed with his clients and the “operators” at his salons, most of whom became longtime friends. He enjoyed spending time out on his boat, the “Full House”, which he docked at Cape Ann Marina in Gloucester and later at Danversport Yacht Club, weekends up at the “ski chalet”, his vacation home at the Slope and Shore Club in New London, NH, and many family events.
Harry was a real mentsh and believed that “charity begins at home”; he often opened up his home to extended family members who “needed a little time to get on their own two feet.” He was proud to help support his brother Max in pursuing a college education, as well as his twin brother David in running Rowinsky’s Cheesecake in Cambridge. One could always count on Harry to bring his or her favorite cheesecake to special events, birthday parties and Oneg Shabbat at Temple Israel in Natick; not to mention he also made sure everyone’s hair was done perfectly for special occasions.
In 1995, during his “retirement” Harry decided he couldn’t quit working altogether and started working at Home Depot in Framingham where he enjoyed schmoozing with the customers. He spent most of the time in Framingham but loved to be able to live and work at Home Depot in Ft. Lauderdale as a “snowbird.” He enjoyed walking on the treadmill at the Metrowest YMCA and having a “schvitz and a shave.”
Harry vacationed at Nantasket Beach, Rock House Mountain Farm Inn in New Hampshire, and cruised to many exotic places where he took his family. He took his grandchildren on vacations, bowling and out to Chinese Restaurants. His favorite television shows included “60 Minutes,” “Wild Kingdom”, and “Seinfeld”, while his favorite movie was “The Godfather” which he watched every time it was on television.
Harry worked hard all his life; he enjoyed and shared it generously with those he knew.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a tax-deductible donation in Harry’s memory of any amount to “The Forgotten Children’s Fund” at the Jewish Cemetery Association of Massachusetts (JCAM). www.jcam.org 198 Wells Avenue, 3rd Floor, Newton, MA 02459. 617-244-6509.
Funeral for Harry will take place on Friday, July 20th at Forest Lawn Funeral Home and Memorial Gardens, located at 200 West Copans Road, Pompano Beach, Florida, 33064. There will be time to visit the family from 10:30 AM - 12:00 noon. This will be followed by a 12:00 noon – 1:00 PM service officiated by Rabbi David Mark of Temple Sholom in Pompano Beach. At 1:00 PM there will be a procession outside to the memorial garden for Harry’s graveside service. All who attend are invited to join the family for a memorial luncheon. Prayers will take place at the home of Caraline and Meyer Levy on Tuesday, July 24, promptly at 6:30. Shiva at 6:45.
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