Jack Marcus
Jack Lewis Marcus, formerly director of sales at Samsonite Corp., passed away January 17, 2018, in Pompano Beach, Fla. Rabbi David Spey officiated at the Jan. 21 service at Star of David Funeral Chapel in North Lauderdale, Fla. Burial followed at Netanya Garden. Star of David Funeral Chapel made the arrangements.
“Known for his calm and kind demeanor, gifted story telling and his unique ability to engage intellectually and politically without offending anyone, his life was guided by a firm moral compass,” the family said.
“In recent years, his unconditional love of family inspired many when he assumed the role of primary caretaker for [his wife] Belle as dementia extinguished her bright light.”
Mr. Marcus was born May 29, 1929, in Denver to Isadore and Frieda Marcus.
He graduated North High School and DU’s College of Business.
Exempt from military service due to poor eyesight, Mr. Marcus joined the Merchant Marine in 1945 at age 17 and served on Liberty ships transporting German POWs to Europe and bringing US troops home to America.
As a young man, he had two seminal experiences that profoundly shaped his future: attending Brandeis Camp Institute in Simi Valley, Calif., and embarking on a year-long work study tour of Israel in 1950.
In Israel, Mr. Marcus met Belle, a vivacious multi-lingual girl from Toronto, Canada. He married her on Oct. 27, 1951, and they were together for 66 years.
A 30-year employee of the Samsonite Corp., Mr. Marcus worked his way up from salesman to director of sales at the time of his retirement.
He and Belle retired to Florida. Both water enthusiasts, they lived a modest yet charmed life right on the Atlantic Ocean.
Mr. Marcus is survived by his wife Belle Marcus of Pompano Beach, Fla.; daughter Debra (Mark) Rowe of Austin, Texas, and son Ron (Patti Maloney) Marcus of Oakland, Calif.; grandchildren Jessica (Jeb) Swaim of Round Rock, Texas, Joy Rowe and Zoe Rowe of Austin; great-grandson Ryland Swaim of Round Rock; sister Beverly (Larry) Sunshine of Denver; brother-in-law Dr. Stan (Naomi) Freeman of Toronto; and several nieces and nephews.
Contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association at www.alz.org.
Copyright © 2018 by the Intermountain Jewish News
