David Bram, a Holocaust survivor and commercial real estate developer, passed away Feb. 20, 2016, in Colorado Springs. He was 88. Rabbi Bruce Dollin officiated at the Feb. 22 service at Temple Shalom in Colorado Springs. Interment followed at Sons of Israel Cemetery. Feldman Mortuary made the arrangements.
“He quietly helped many people who needed a second chance in life, providing employment and opportunity,” the family said. “He epitomized grit, resilience, hope and unending love of life.”
Mr. Bram was born on Sept. 25, 1927 in Rusiec, Poland. He was the eldest of six children born to Mendel and Leah Bram and was the only member of his extended family to survive the Holocaust.
Beginning in 1939, he was forced to work in German labor camps in Poznan, Breslau and Gross-Rosen.
In 1942, Mr. Bram was deported to Auschwitz-Birkenau. From there he was imprisoned in a sub-camp of Mauthausen in Ebensee, Austria.
The Germans abandoned the camp in the middle of the night on May 3, 1945. The US Army unlocked the gates just two days later.
With the help of the Hebrew Immigration Aid Society (HIAS), Mr. Bram immigrated to New York City on Dec. 25, 1947, during the biggest snowstorm to hit the city in recorded history.
Anxious to leave New York, he moved to Omaha, Neb., where he met his future wife Zita. Drawn by the Colorado Rockies, they moved with their family to Colorado Springs in 1954.
He served in the US Army Reserves for four years in the 1950s.
The couple developed a number of successful businesses, including shopping centers, furniture stores, campgrounds, hotels, motels and houses of worship for people of all denominations.
He helped build Temple Shalom in Colorado Springs, where he volunteered countless hours educating children about the Holocaust.
Mr. Bram worked until the time of his death.
A strong supporter of Israel, he belonged to UJA, American Jewish World Service, JNF, Hillel, the Mikveh of East Denver, US Holocaust Memorial Museum and other organizations.
Married to her husband for nearly 60 years, Mrs. Bram passed away on Oct. 13, 2008.
Mr. Bram is survived by his daughters Linda Bram and Renee Bram (Marv) Rockford; grandchildren Sara Bram (Chris Swenson), Dr. Avram Bram Mostyn, Shoshana (Tim) Ringel, Elana (Matt) Hoodenpyle, Sarah Rockford, Rachel Rockford and Jonathan Rockford; and great-grandchildren Pearl Hoodenpyle and Eli Ringel.
Sons Michael Bram and Murray Bram predeceased him.
Contributions may be made to the Yad Vashem World Holocaust Research Center in Jerusalem, JNF, HIAS or any Jewish charity of choice.
Copyright © 2016 by the Intermountain Jewish News
