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Joseph Elman Obituary
Joseph Elman, 90, died Friday evening at Menorah Park. Born in Poland, Joe fought against the Nazis by joining the partisans. In an interview with the U.S. Holocaust Museum in 1998, Joe was quoted, "The world should learn a lesson from the past; what can happen to a nation, it can happen to anybody. You have to fight and educate people and hope that all those people who perished didn't go in vain. There should never be another holocaust, never again."
After the liberation, Joe was sponsored by an uncle in Syracuse and arrived here in 1947. He met his wife, Edith of blessed memory, in Brooklyn. They were married there and then settled in Syracuse, where they raised their family. He established Square Deal Recycling Company in Syracuse, most recently known as Elman Recycling corporation, was active with the Syracuse Jewish Federation and was always a supporter of the Jewish Community.
Survived by his wife, Muriel; his children, Marsha (David Bernstein) Elman, Cheryl (Bob Hoppin) Elman and Barry (June Eicher) Elman; Muriel's children, Susan (Stuart) Sloane and Richard Levy; grandchildren Elana, Libbey, Ari, Joshua, Rayna, Nicole, Mark and Jason; and great- grandson Mason.
Funeral services will be 3 p.m. Monday at Sisskind funeral Chapel. Friends may visit with the family immediately prior to the service on Monday, from 2 to 3 p.m., at the funeral chapel, 3175 E. Genesee Street. Burial will be in Beth El Cemetery. Shiva will be observed at Muriel's home Tuesday through Thursday from 7 to 9 p.m.
Contributions in Joe's memory may be made to a Jewish charity of your choice.
Memories and Condolences
for Joseph Elman
6 Entries
Steven Suher
June 24, 2020
I did business with Joe for probably over 30 years. He was tough to do business with, yet always very fair. I always had the utmost respect for him. His stories during the war years were fascinating. He surely was a member of the greatest generation!
Steven Suher
Anita & Lewis Kuppermann
July 16, 2012
Dear Elman Family
It was one of those very lucky days that I met Joe Elman, down there at Square Deal,,,on the coner of Spencer Street and a cross street that It is forgotten..but, one would never forget Joe Elman...a man of the highest principals, limitless energy and insight,,,an abundence of integrty (SP).
Joe was the kind of customer, friend and everyone would seek out...loyal, direct, understanding....just blessed with being a nice person.
Our most sicsere condolences
Fondly and admiringly
Anita & Lewis Kuppermann
July 3, 2012
De ar Muriel and family. Hannah and I share the joy of having been a freind of Joe. He will be missed and remembered as a kind and gentle man. Hannah and Jerry Seaman
Michael Meshenberg
July 1, 2012
Dear Marsha, Cheryl, and Barry,
I first learned of your Dad while working on the Elman family genealogy some 18 years ago. We had a number of phone calls and then he and your Mom hosted me over a weekend at their home in DeWitt. He allowed me to interview him about his childhood, extraordinary wartime experiences, postwar activities including the difficulties of his and his brother and sister-in-law's immigration to Syracuse (one of my treasures is a copy of the letter he and his brother wrote to his Uncle Samuel seeking help after the war), and settling down to raise a family and run a business. I was drawn not only to his heroism during the war but to his retaining his grace and humanity in the face of such horrors. He honored me and many others in sharing his story and refusing to be a victim. I am grateful beyond words for his hospitality and willingness to allow me to be his “biographer.” As one of the few survivors, his life story is a link to the now-destroyed communities of Europe and is a central link in the larger Elman history.
He also spoke of the three of you and your successes with great joy and pride.
Though we had not had much contact in recent years, I remember Joe with gratitude and fondness and will always think of him as a hero. Even on this sad day I hope you recognize the inspiration of his life. His flame may have been extinguished, but his light will live on.
Your cousin,
Mike Meshenberg
Chicago
[email protected]
Russell Gower
July 1, 2012
I first met Joe a month after losing my Father. He taught me everything I needed to know to be successful in business and later that year I was honored to continue his company's tradition of serving the community in recycling. I gained the assets of a good business as well as an amazing piece of history in my friend and Teacher.
Our thoughts are with the Family.
Russ, Linda, Ben and Sarah Gower
steven suher
July 1, 2012
So sorry to hear about Joe's passing. I did business with Joe since the mid 1970's. He was a wonderful person to do business with; I had much respect for him.
He will surely be missed.
My deepest condolences to his family and friends
Sincerely
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