4 North Shore Towers Courier n March 2016 What was it like growing up? This interview was started just after his fabulous 90th Birthday Party at the Inn at Great Neck. Sadly it was interrupted by a hospital stay from which Marvin never returned. This dynamic, ever-youthful, always positive life force left us on January 17th. The funeral for this decorated World War II veteran was well attended and included a U.S. Marine detachment and speeches by his three sons and three of his grandchildren. Some of what follows are answers to questions included are comments from residents of NST. I grew up in a working class family in the Bronx. We didn’t have much money but we were a tight knit and loving family. I was not the best behaved boy in school. In the 1930’s if you misbehaved the teacher sent you to sit in the corner. You had to stare at the wall and you were not allowed to turn around. I made frequent trips to the corner and knew every inch of the corner walls in every classroom. When the teacher wasn’t looking I did turn around to the amusement of my classmates. I was a product of the Great Depression and I remember walking into my Grandpa Sammy’s lumber yard. I was 9 years old and asked him to make me a hockey puck. I loved to play street hockey. As Grandpa was cutting the wood I was struck by how quiet the place was....no customers. I also noticed Grandpa’s sad expression. He had to close down. That image stayed with me for life as did his advice: “Save a quarter before you spend a nickel. And, avoid debt whenever possible.” What happened when you were 17? Like many of my peers I dropped out of high school, James Monroe, and enlisted in the Marine Corps. I served in Indochina and on several Pacific Islands. I chose the Marines with the logic of a 17 year old: I wanted to get tough, I thought it would help me attract girls, and I liked the uniform. The first night of training camp I knew I made a big mistake and wanted to go home. When Boot Camp was over I had 10 days leave and met some ladies. Maybe it was worth it. The uniform seemed to work. How did you meet your wife, Florence? After discharge I got a job with Triumph Hosiery Mills as a salesman. I posed. Material is taken from the eloquent eulogies, and also At a charity event I was struck by a beautiful young lady selling raffles to benefit the “Jews of Palestine” as Israel was then called. I felt lucky and bought two raffles. I didn’t win the prize but won the heart of the volunteer-seller, Florence Krate. We married a year later. What did you do for a living? I really had a knack for selling. Eventually I took over the best accounts. Soon I was a partner. I spearheaded their Danskin line of hosiery. Back then Danskins were only purchased by dancers and gymnasts. I helped take it to everyday wear. By the 1970’s Danskins had an 80 % market share and I earned the name: Mr. Danskin. I was doing very well financially. My colleagues said, “Nobody could get in the door like Marvin.” Now there was time for playing golf, poker, Bridge and spending winters in Florida. “I was just sucking the juice out of life.” Best of all was my wonderful family with three high achieving and loving sons who married terrific women and produced six grandchildren and two great grand kids. 17 “I had breakfast with him 4 times each week and dinner with Marvin and Flo whenever we could. I have not been able to cope with this loss. I will miss him forever.” - Joe Vass “Marvin Weisman was such a multi-faceted personality. Considering the average age of our residents, we suffer a loss frequently, but I don’t remember such an outpouring of grief as that triggered by the passing of Marvin. He left such a positive impression on all he came in contact with.” - Danny Cavallo “He will never be forgotten. The UJA-Federation benefitted from his hard work and devotion. I worked closely with him and he gave with his heart as well as his wallet.” - Eneas Arkawy “I met Marvin when he was 21 years old and he told me a joke. And now 69 years later, I am still laughing at his stories and antics. He married my best friend, Florence, and we remained friends ever since.” - Claire Fine At the 8 a.m. Breakfast Club in the VIP Room, Marvin is known as Marvelous Marvin. He was given this nickname by Dennis Rappaport and everybody uses it. “Because he is marvelous… in every way... unforgetable.” - Dennis Rappaport “I’ll miss our card games together. My one regret is that I didn’t know Marvin until I moved to NST. If only he’d been my friend all my life.” - Arnie Rabinowitz “I met Marvin for the first time after moving here three years ago, but it wasn’t our first encounter. We quickly discovered that we both had been in Tienjin, China, at the same time in 1946. Marvin as a U.S. Marine, and I was one of the local school boys who ecstatically welcomed our American liberators. I think I’ll never get over a painful sense of loss every time I enter the VIP Room where we first met… again.” - Ted Baron “Every Friday and Saturday in our golf foursome, he would tee up on each hole and say ‘This one’s for you, Mac, or Ernie, or Mel or Ned.’ A fun loving and caring man. We’ll miss you, Marvelous.” - Mac Matchton “Marvin was the youngest ninetyyear old I ever knew. At his 90th Birthday party he spoke one-on-one to each attendee and made them feel they were his most important guest. He had the charm of the salesman and the spirit of the marine. You’ll be missed.” - Jerry Gilbert MARVIN WEISMAN Marvelous Marvin Too “Marvelous” for words Marvin’s friends reflect MW as Marine in 1944 Marvin and Florence enjoying a night out in 1948 Marvin in July 2015
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