George Zitwer

George Zitwer passed away on January 12, 2023 at age 97 after a wonderful life. He was born July 6, 1925 to Meyer and Rose Zitwer in lower Manhattan in New York City. He served in the United States Army Medical Corps with the Army of Occupation in Japan following World War II.

George was a graduate of the City College of New York, receiving a B.S. in Psychology and Social Work. He later earned his M.S. in Education as well as a Masters in Administration and Supervision at City University of New York. Mr. Zitwer studied for a Doctorate in Urban Education at Fordham University, Lincoln Center.

After the war, he ran the Laboratory and Blood Bank at University Heights Hospital in the Bronx for 15 years. Mr. Zitwer worked as a Social Worker and teacher for the New York City Department of Correction on Rikers Island for two years. For the next 29 years he was a teacher and supervisor at P.S. 78 in the Bronx, retiring in 1990.

In 1949, Mr. Zitwer married Isabella Handelman. They lived in the Bronx, moving to New City in 1968. When widowed after a 43-year marriage, Mr. Zitwer moved to Montebello Commons in 2001.

In retirement Mr. George Zitwer volunteered with the Retired Senior Volunteer Program at the Yaeger Sanitarium and the Ramapo Senior Center of Meals on Wheels.

He was a member of the Music Makers and for ten years sang and danced at senior clubs and nursing homes throughout Rockland County. For seven years he performed with the Clarkstown Senior shows.

Mr. Zitwer performed in Guys and Dolls and My Fair Lady for Suffern Parks and Recreation as well as the Music Man and the Man Who Came to Dinner in which he played Sheridan Whiteside for the Rockland JCCY.

George did two shows at the Antrim Playhouse as well as two shows at the Elmwood Playhouse in Nyack. He also entertained as Topo Georgio the Clown, performing at children’s events and pediatric hospital units. He loved ballroom and line dancing and danced at senior functions throughout New York, New Jersey and Florida, as well as Parents Without Partners.

Mr. Zitwer is survived by his six children, Debra Nafalski,(Ronald), Dr. Richard Zitwer, Serena Niehaus,( Steven)Dr. Seth Zitwer, (Susan) Yvonne Breyer (Daniel) and Neil Zitwer. He is also survived by 9 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held Sunday January 15th, 2023 10:45 AM at Hellman Memorial Chapels, Spring Valley, NY. Interment will follow at Beth Israel Cemetery, Woodbridge, NJ.

Those wishing to remember George in a special way may contribute to Meals on Wheels of Rockland, United Hospice of Rockland or The Castle Point Veterans Medical Center Home Program.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.hellmanmemorial.com for the Zitwer family.