Alexander Rezmovits
Alexander Rezmovits, 95, a survivor of Auschwitz and an esteemed cabinetmaker, passed away peacefully on Oct. 23, 2019, surrounded by his family. Rabbi Steven Foster officiated at the Oct. 25 graveside service at Emanuel Cemetery. Feldman Mortuary made the arrangements.
“Alex will be remembered by all who knew him for his generous spirit, his compassionate heart and exceedingly empathetic nature,” his loved ones said. “He grieved with people when they were suffering, never said no to a friend and took care of anyone he thought needed a little extra support.
“He made sandwiches for Denver’s homeless population and always bought extra holiday gifts for neighborhood children.”
Alex always told his family and friends how much they were loved and appreciated, they say. “He had a gift for making people feel special.”
Alex Rezmovits was born July 24, 1924, in Krasna, Romania to Ferenc and Fanny Rezmovits. He had eight sisters and one brother. A mischievous and fun-loving child, he loved to climb trees, steal fruit from the neighbor’s yard and enjoy his mother’s cooking.
As anti-Semitism permeated Krasna, Alex learned the art of cabinetmaking to help build the Jewish state of Israel. He was never able to fulfill that dream.
The Nazis rounded up Alex and his family, who had gone into hiding in Cluj, in April, 1944.
In June, the entire family was deported to Auschwitz. Both of Alex’s parents and his sisters Rosalia, Irena, Cara and Gisela perished there. The memory of watching his mother and youngest sister Gisela walk hand-in-hand into the gas chambers haunted Alex for the rest of his life.
From Auschwitz, he was sent to forced labor camps in Hirschberg and Bunzlau before ending up in Bergen-Belsen in February, 1945. He was liberated and brought to the Dachau DP Camp in May, then transferred to Sweden to convalesce in July, 1945. He never forgot the kindness of the Swedish people and how they helped bring him back to life after unimaginable tragedy.
In Sweden, he met Holocaust survivor Regina Drajer and got married. They immigrated with their children to the US in 1954, settling in Denver.
A master cabinetmaker, Alex helped build the interiors of some of Denver’s iconic buildings. He crafted several pieces of beautiful furniture that remained in his home for decades.
Alex was a jokester and a storyteller. He loved running, photography and ballroom dancing.
“He also loved WWE wrestling despite being told over and over again that it wasn’t real,” the family says. “He didn’t care. He loved the thrill of a pin and the excitement of the crowds. He knew how to enjoy his life.”
Alex Rezmovits is survived by his children Arthur (Monika) Rezmovits, Freda Lisnow and David (Carla) Rezmovits; brother Mike (Bobbi) Resmo and sister Eva Stadler; and grandchildren Matthew Lisnow, Jamie, Matt (Yingying), Owen and Hannah Rezmovits.
The family thanks those who gave him loving care near the end of his life, especially Mirella Schrieber at JFS, Julia, Julie, Frida, Yacov and Mikaela.
Contributions may be made to JFS, www.jewishfamilyservice.org.
Copyright © 2019 by the Intermountain Jewish News
