OBITUARY
Sidney D Epstein
Sidney David Epstein, of Stamford and Palm Beach Gardens, FL, passed away on Friday, March 14, 2014. A graduate of Stamford High School, he was born in Stamford on January 26, 1923, the son of Max and Rae Epstein and brother of Ethel Barax and Rita Katchko, all of whom predeceased him. As a youth he had planned on a career in classical music. He studied violin and viola for many years and in the late 1930’s and early 1940’s he played on a semi-professional basis with several symphony orchestras. A combination of circumstances, including the start of the war, necessitated a change of direction. After Pearl Harbor Sidney enlisted in the Army Air Corps and served in the Aleutian Islands throughout the war. He returned to Stamford after having been honorably discharged at war’s end. In 1953 he joined Neptune Worldwide Moving where, during the next 25 years, he served as salesman, estimator, traffic manager, director of operations, and finally, vice president. In 1978 he joined Allied Van Lines as a senior vice president, with responsibility for, among other things, the company’s industry and government relations. The following year he became Allied’s president and chief operating officer. Within the moving industry he was highly respected by both management and labor, forging business relationships that were often deeply personal as well. Throughout the course of a long and successful career he was frequently called upon to testify before Congress on transportation related issues and was selected by industry leaders to serve terms as chairman of the American Movers Conference and president of the Household Goods Carrier’s Bureau. In 1983 Chicago Magazine named him as one of that city’s “unsung heroes” and in 1984, Crain’s Chicago Business, selected him as executive of the year for his corporate and community achievements. Sidney hated snobbery and rejected the concept of entitlement. He believed in hard work and in working hard. He subscribed to the theory that success is: “99% perspiration and 1% inspiration.” Although he believed that people could make their own luck (“the harder I work, the luckier I get”), he was also acutely and profoundly aware that the ability to control destiny had limits, both visible and invisible, beyond human control. He frequently voiced gratitude for his own God-given assets -- health, strength, reasonable intelligence – fully acknowledging the role they had played in his good fortune. He was consistently generous, devoting time, talent and resources to civic and religious causes. He believed this was a responsibility. After his retirement Sidney served on the Board of Directors of the Multiple Sclerosis Society and volunteered as a member of the Senior Core of Retired Executives (SCORE). Long active in the Jewish community, he served several terms on the Board of Trustees of Stamford’s Temple Beth El and was also a past president of its men’s club. In recognition of his leadership and dedication, B’nai B’rith Youth Services presented him with its American Traditions Award in 1985. Despite his commitment to professional, civic and religious endeavors, there is no question that family was his highest priority. He cherished each and every moment he spent with his three grandchildren, each of whom he considered practically perfect. He was unequivocally committed to his daughters, and endlessly generous in advising and supporting them. He never got over, and frequently mentioned his great fortune in having met and been loved by his educated, talented and gifted wife of 63 years. He is survived by his wife, Paula Epstein; children Ellen Bromley and son-in-law Tom Gizicki of Stamford and Julie Epstein of Boca Raton, Florida; grandchildren, Sara Bromley Seide (Steve Seide), Matthew Bromley (Elizabeth Sunny) and Melissa Bromley. He is also survived by his brother and sister (technically brother and sister-in-law) Carl and Sondra Goldenberg, and many nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 16, 2014, at Temple Beth El, Roxbury Road, Stamford, with Rabbi Joshua Hammerman officiating. Interment will be at the Beth El Cemetery. Shiva will be observed from Sunday to Tuesday evenings, beginning at 6:00, at 204 Riverbank Drive, Stamford. Those wishing to make memorial donations in his memory might consider: Tisch MS Research Center (Development Department, 521 W. 57th Street, 4th Floor, New York, New York 10019); United Jewish Federation; Temple Beth El or the charity of their choice.
Services
PREVIOUS SERVICES:
- Funeral Service Sunday, March 16, 2014
PREVIOUS SERVICES:
- Burial
REMEMBERING
Sidney D Epstein
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RECEIVE UPDATESNira Rozenblum
March 25, 2014
Dear Julie, It is with great sorrow that we have learned about the loss of your dear father Z"L. Please allow us to share with you and your family our deepest condolences and may you never see sorrow again. We send you a big hug and a kiss from all of us the Rozenblum's (Nira,Naty,Shelly,Roy,Kalanit,Omer,Yiftach, Yonatan("your baby", and Chupi)/
March 21, 2014
I was saddened to read of Sidney's death. You know he had the pew directly
behind me for many many years and I always enjoyed seeing him; there
will certainly be a void next year. Ellen Mary C. joins me in offering our
condolence to you and your mother. Alan Silberman
Cheryl Nomack Visconti
March 17, 2014
Julie I don't know if you remember me. I believer that we went to school together. I am so very sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Leslie Weinberg
March 17, 2014
Ellen-- My sympathies to you and your family upon the death of your father. I will think good thoughts.
Steven Sosnowitz
March 17, 2014
So sorry to hear about Sidney. My thoughts are with the Epstein family
Donna Graham
March 17, 2014
Dear Paula, Ellen, Julie and family,
I am so saddened to hear about Sidney. He was such a special person who just exuded warmth and love. I truly adored him. I know he will be missed dearly. With deepest sympathy,
Tony Carlucci
March 17, 2014
Mrs. Epstein and family, we are truely sorry for your loss. Sidney was a kind man and a great neighbor. My girls still talk to this day how they would go next door for cookies. You are in our thoughts and prayers. Tony, Lya, Christina, Analese, Marisa and Mia.
Lisa Poltrack
March 16, 2014
Far Ellen and family. Condolences and praying for you at this time. Rember happy times with your Dad.
March 16, 2014
Dear Ellen and family,
Another good man has left this earth and us to begin his eternal journey. I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this time.
Sincerely,
Laura Gambino croft
Durelle Alexander
March 16, 2014
Dear Ellen,
I am so sorry to hear about your father. One is really never prepared to lose a parent! My deepest & heartfelt sympathy to you and your family,
March 16, 2014
The world has lost an outstanding,kind, gentle man, thank you for your service to our country. He will be missed by all of us.
Pat and Bob McGrath
P&L Gold
March 16, 2014
Dear Paula,Ellen,Julie and family,
We were saddened to hear of Sidney's passing and will miss him very much.
Len and Sid were friends since Kindergarten and remained that way their entire lives.
We shared many happy events with our families along they way.
He was a man of strong conviction and
always available to help when needed.
Phyllis & Len Gold
Peter Elikann
March 16, 2014
I think what I remember most about him was a combination of his extraordinary wit and this great depth of wisdom that was recognizable even to a kid of 12 which is what I probably was when I first met him. He also didn't appear to be motivated by ego as I recall he was so unassuming that one would never know, unless told, that he was truly a giant of American industry. To be sure, he was a remarkable nationally-recognized success at the very pinnacle of the world of American business and commerce, yet, more importantly, he was a genuine success in the game of life. You don't see that many worldly intellectuals in the corporate world and, on top of that, one whose priorities were his love of people in general as witnessed through his charitable and civic engagements and, more specifically, his exceptional dedication to his beloved family that he showed in a seemingly endless myriad of ways. A role model for all the rest of us.
Timothy Gordon
March 16, 2014
One of his greatest achievments was to have Ellen as a Daughter
March 16, 2014
Dear Ellen and family,
We are so sorry for your loss.
Howie and Joanne
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