Herbert LEBOWITZ

LEBOWITZ , Herbert "Rhymes with Sherbert"
Herbert "Rhymes with Sherbert" Lebowitz of West Hartford, CT, formerly of Pittsfield, MA, passed away peacefully on Sunday, May 26, 2013. He was 91 years young and surrounded by his family and his bride of 62+ years, Sonia Nissenbaum Lebowitz. Herbert was raised in New York City during the depression and started his career in sales as a youth selling ice cream outside Yankee Stadium. He was known for his quick smile, his gregarious nature, and his ability to 'chat up' total strangers. Herb had a unique way of making friends and made sure people remembered his name by saying "My name is Herbert, rhymes with sherbert, and if you can't remember that think of ice cream!" After serving in World War II in the Air Force, Herb moved to North Adams, MA as a jewelry salesman for Rudolph jewelers. He eventually came to be known as the owner of Lebow's Men and Boys Store (located next to the Paramount theater in North Adams) where he loved to socialize with his customers while helping them with a new outfit. With business getting tougher in the factory town, he decided to learn about insurance and mutual funds, which led him to a long and successful career as a financial planner. After raising three children and spending over thirty years in North Adams Herb and Sonny moved to Pittsfield where they lived until 2010. Herbert took great pride in his service to his country and at the age of 90 was fortunate enough to receive tribute to his service with an Honor Flight, a program through The Honor Flight Network which takes World War II veterans to visit the war memorials in Washington D.C. He talked of how his experience brought back memories he had long forgotten and that it was cathartic for him. Shortly after, he spoke of his service in the Air Force and his Honor Flight at the elementary school of his youngest grandchildren. In addition to his loving wife, Sonia, Herbert is survived by his sister Jeanette Fluger of West Caldwell NJ, as well as his children David Lebowitz of San Leandro CA, Ellen (Lebowitz) Garrison of Los Angeles CA, and Andrew Lebowitz and his wife, Lisa of Glastonbury CT. Herb was also the proud "Peepop" to his six adoring grandchildren, Jessica and Sarah Garrison and Jenna, Emily, Shayna, and Zachary Lebowitz.
Herb's family will receive visitors on Wednesday May 29 from 3-8 p.m. at the home of Andy and Lisa Lebowitz, 1485 Diamond Lake Road, Glastonbury, CT. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Herb's memory to the Honor Flight Network www.honorflight.org.