Paul H. Kolitz, who survived the Holocaust in Shanghai and later became a longtime and beloved member of the IJN family, passed away June 19, 2010, in Denver.
Rabbi Benjamin Last officiated at the graveside service, held June 20 at Mt. Nebo Cemetery. Feldman Mortuary made the arrangements.
The consummate gentleman, Mr. Kolitz wore only suits, no matter how casual the situation.
He insisted upon accuracy in language as well as numbers; loved strong freshly brewed coffee; and worshipped his wife Erna.
Mr. Kolitz was hired as head bookkeeper at the IJN in 1975. After his official retirement in 1992, he returned to proof copy.
A regular at IJN birthday parties, he regaled the staff with jokes and anecdotes like how he taught budding actress Rita Moreno to drive while he was a drivers ed instructor in Los Angeles.
Mr. Kolitz was born Aug. 3, 1916, in Berlin. At age 23, he fled to Shanghai to escape the Nazis.
He met Erna Adler, the daughter of a Viennese baker, in Shanghai. Although he didnt feel he had sufficient funds to marry, he never forgot her.
After the war, Mr. Kolitz immigrated to the US and settled in Los Angeles, where he was reunited with Erna. They were married in 1964.
The couple moved to Denver when Mr. Kolitz was asked to manage an apartment complex.
Erna passed away on Dec. 10, 2004.
Paul never recovered from losing the woman he called my little lady.
We had an extremely happy and loving marriage, he told the IJN after Ernas death. I dont know think there are many people who had a marriage like ours.
We lived a wonderful life. We did what we wanted to do. And we traveled with a capital T.
An astute businessman, he was also very generous. Several years ago he sponsored an African American boy at Boys Town in Nebraska and supported him throughout college.
Mr. Kolitz is survived by his nieces Terry (Henry) Lange and Joyce Pacheco, both of California, and nephew Steve Kolitz of Connecticut.
Contributions may be made to JFS.
