Leo J. Novarr

1921 - 2018

Leo J. Novarr of West Hartford, 96 of West Hartford, formally a long-time resident of Bloomfield, died peacefully, Thursday, January 4, 2018. Born in Hartford on 8/20/1921, he was the son of Bennie and Minnie (Katz) Novarr. He was the beloved husband for 69 years, of the late Sylvia (Greenbaum) Novarr who passed away in 2014. He was a graduate of Weaver High, 1939, and Yale University, 1943. Leo always told the story that the entire Yale class graduated in December 1942, so they could all go home to their respective home towns to enlist in WWII. Leo served in the US Army during World War II, in the Aleutian Islands, on Kiska off of Alaska, and then on Saipan in the Mariana Islands in the Pacific. Leo was awarded the Bronze Star. From there he went to Fort Benning, Georgia, where he was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant. While at Fort Benning, Leo married his "sweetheart" Sylvia Greenbaum, in Augusta, Georgia. Leo's lifelong occupation was owning and operating the family business in Hartford, Star Silk and Woolen Company, wholesale drygoods distributor. Leo and Sylvia were proud supporters of the Hebrew Academy of Greater Hartford, formally the Yeshiva of Hartford, where Leo assumed various positions when no one else would step-up. They were also contributors and supporters of numerous community organizations. Many of the funds they established continue today. Leo always had a story or joke to tell, never at a loss for words. He was an avid reader who always enjoyed a good nature book; at heart he was a gentleman farmer... proud of his rhubarb, tomatoes and cucumbers and passed his love of agriculture forward to his family. He leaves his daughter, Susan Schenker, (Michael) of Simsbury, daughter, Davida Novarr, of Oakland, California, and daughter in law, Avra Novarr of Bloomfield, five cherished grandchildren, Caryn Solomon, Jonathan Schenker (Alyson), Lauren Wolfson (Alexander), Matthew Novarr (Mandy), and Jason Novarr (Nandini), and nine great grandchildren; Noah, Zachary and Lindsay Solomon, Avi and Manuel Schenker, Harper, Asher and Miles Wolfson, and Dani Novarr, and many cousins, nieces, nephews and friends. Leo was predeceased by his wife, Sylvia, son, Daniel Novarr and daughter, Harriet Novarr. He leaves his sisters, Ruth Hershman, (Gil) and Edith Katzman, (Mel) and brother in law Harold Greenbaum, (Margie). Funeral services are Tuesday, January 9, 2018 at 2:00 PM in the Chapel at Beth El Temple in West Hartford , with Rabbi James Rosen and Rabbi Philip Lazowski officiating. Interment will follow at the Brahilover Society Cemetery on the corner of Garden Street and Cleveland Avenue, off of Tower Avenue in Hartford. Following interment, the family will receive friends and family at The Meeting House at Powder Forest Homes, 45 Ashton Circle, Simsbury. Family will also receive guests from 7-9 PM with Services at 7:30PM at the Schenker Residence, Simsbury, on Wednesday and Thursday evenings. Contributions can be made to the Leo and Sylvia Novarr Fund for Children and Families, c/o The Jewish Community Foundation, 333 Bloomfield Avenue Suite D, West Hartford, CT. 06117 or the charity of your choice. May his memory be a source of strength and a blessing. Funeral arrangements provided by Hebrew Funeral Association, West Hartford.