Eugene Joseph Weisberg, the patriarch of the Weisberg family and a respected leader of Denvers Jewish community, passed away Jan. 22, 2015, after a brief illness at his home in Rancho Mirage, Calif. Rabbi Steven Foster and Cantor Elizabeth Sacks officiated at the Jan. 26 service at Temple Emanuel.
Interment followed at Emanuel Cemetery. Feldman Mortuary made the arrangements.
Not only was Gene an accomplished businessman, athlete and leader, he always made his family his most important priority, his loved ones said.
Mr. Weisberg was born Oct. 9, 1919, in Longmont, Colo. to Selma and Joseph Weisberg.
He attended CU before transferring to the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania, where he also was a basketball star.
After a short stint in the clothing business with Lazarus Company in Ohio, Mr. Weisberg enlisted in the US Army. He served with the rank of captain until the war ended in 1945.
Read the IJN editorial eulogizing Gene Weisberg
He returned to Denver and worked for his father-in-law Henry Frankel at Frankel Carbon and Ribbon. His career at the company spanned 40 years.
Mr. Weisberg was married to Beth Frankel Weisberg for 71 years.
His love for Denver and the Jewish community was exemplified by his hard work and commitment to various causes.
He served on the boards of Allied Jewish Federation, Rose Hospital and Temple Emanuel, and was president of the JCC, Green Gables Country Club and the Town Club.
Mr. Weisberg was an outstanding athlete. An avid snow and water skier, a champion tennis player and competitive golfer, he received numerous athletic injuries but nothing seemed to slow him down.
He found a way to compete every day of his life, even if it meant beating his old cronies at the bridge table.
Mr. Weisberg, who had a passion second to none for the Colorado Buffaloes, was the longest season ticket holder and a scholarship donor.
But his true love was for the outdoors, and it inspired him to become a world-class fly fisherman. He fished throughout the world and enjoyed his time in Colorado, Idaho and Alaska.
Gene was a remarkable man with a giant personality and charisma, the family said. He attracted celebrities and athletes from every social scene and was a very popular figure at the Tamarisk Country Club in Rancho Mirage.
President of the club, he chaired the Bob Hope Celebrity Golf Tournament.
Mr. Weisberg is survived by his wife Beth Weisberg; children Jim Weisberg, Jody Epstein (Donald Yale), Tom (Christiana) Weisberg and Buz (Barbara) Weisberg; grandchildren Kelsi (Zach), Matthew, Jamie (Ryan), Michael, Tawni, Amy, Zachary (Renee), Jason, David (Nicole), Kyla (Cameron), Billy (Bridget), Joshua (Alexis), Gena (Greg) and Jade; and great-grandchildren Noah, Aaron, Emma, Gaby, Jake, Ari, Christopher, Madeline, Nicole, Arabella, Siena and Brooklyn.
He was predeceased by his son-in-law G. David Epstein.
Contributions may be made to the charity of choice.
Copyright © 2015 by the Intermountain Jewish News
