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Emil Mesinger Obituary

Emil Meyer Mesinger Our loving Father, Brother, Grandfather and Great Grandfather, Emil Mesinger, passed away on the 14th of June 2013. He was born to the late Violet and Jake Mesinger on the 11th of April 1923.
Emil was preceded in death by his Shining Star and Grand Wife and partner, Maxine Mesinger, and his brothers-in-law Leo David and Fred Soifer and Fred and Fanet Soifer's son, Brad. Emil leaves behind a family rich with memories that include his daughter, Julianne Haas and husband Thomas J. Haas; son, Jay Monroe Mesinger and wife Sandra Lee Mesinger. There was no shortage of Grand Children who will miss their grandfather's smile, laughter and gentleness. Julie and Tom's children, Jason and his wife Jennifer Haas, Liza and her husband Randy Curtis, and Kurt and his wife Cynthia Haas. Jay and Sandra's children, Josh Mesinger, Jessica and her husband Mark Johnson, Adam Mesinger and his wife Ayeisha, and daughter, Hillary Goldstein. Dad always enjoyed his time and the laughter he shared with his great grandchildren, Max and Ella Curtis, Grant, Alex and John David Haas, Charley Johnson and Redding Mesinger. Our family was small yet close. The family circle also included Emil's sister Fanet Soifer and her children, Jan Soifer and her husband Pat O'Connell, their children Brad and Allison O'Connell as well as Keri and Harvey Franks and their children, Zachary and Austin.
Emil was energetic and creative. Together he and Maxine traveled and entertained the most famous dignitaries and celebrities in the world. Emil could stand up at the drop of a hat and make the most engaging and articulate speech. Whether introducing Maxine as Women of the Century or welcoming Sammy Davis Jr. to Houston, Emil was never left without the words. Emil had a career providing service and style to Houston. He worked in retail almost all of his life, starting at Krauss Company upon his return from World War II in New Orleans to his tenure at Houston's Sakowitz and then a long and valuable career at Houston's Tootsies. People would walk into Tootsies and find Emil to have him personally look at a ball gown or cocktail dress to be worn at one of Houston's society events. They would say, "Emil, what would Maxine think of this outfit"? Even after Maxine's death, Emil maintained his presence as a Houston mainstay. Emil will be missed by all his family and large circle of friends.
The memorial service is to be conducted at eleven o'clock in the morning on Sunday, the 30th of June, in the Jasek Chapel of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston, where Steven M. Gross, Rabbi at Houston Congregation for Reformed Judaism, is to officiate. Immediately following, all are invited to greet the family during a reception, in Emil's honor, in the adjacent grand foyer. This will be a time to raise a toast and share the wonderful stories that each of you will no doubt have about the Era of Emil and Maxine that will be coming to a close.
In lieu of customary remembrances, the family has asked that donations be made to the Maxine Mesinger Multiple Sclerosis Clinic at the Baylor Medical Center, 6501 Fannin, Suite NB 100, Houston, TX, 77030; or The Gatherings Interfaith Care Partners of Houston , 701 North Post Oak, Houston, TX, 77024; and Houston Hospice, 1905 Holcombe Blvd., Houston, TX, 77030.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Houston Chronicle from Jun. 15 to Jun. 29, 2013.

Memories and Condolences
for Emil Mesinger

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July 1, 2013

I have had the pleasure of working with Emil at TOOTSIE'S for at least twenty years.Every morning He would greet me with a good-morning,although some mornings were not so good, he always had a GREAT attitude.I will miss him so much, and his little snacks. Some days he would have a cookie,fruit or chips.I have Emil to thank for my hips. He is so wonderful and will always hav a place in my heart. JOSEPHINE MOORE

July 1, 2013

DEAR FAMILY OF EMIL,OUR PRAYERS ARE WITH EACH ONE OF YOU,EMIL, A GREAT MAN TO HAVE KNOWN. EMIL AND I WORKED AT TOOTSIES TOGETHER,WE ALL LOVED THIS GENTLEMAN,ALWAYS COME IN WITH A SMILE FOR THE SHIPPING DEPARTMENT AND A GREAT JOKE TO REV UP OUR DAY.WE ALL MISS YOU MY FRIEND. ERNESTINE MAXWELL

Terry Rambin

June 30, 2013

I will miss your smiling face and your ability to make everyone around you smile.

Victor Rivera

June 30, 2013

Dear Julie, Jay and family:

One of the most wonderful experiences I have had and that I consider a truly gift from life, was the great pleasure to participate in the very world of Emil for the last almost 3 decades. Emil was not just my senior friend but also the person, that along with my wife Cristina ("my driver" as he called her in our outings) and Wini ("my date" he would say), looked forward to have dinner or simply visit with as frequently as it was feasible, after Maxine's loss. No question Emil was the most sociable, courteous and kind person. A real pleasure to visit with him.
The "museum" (his condo at the Lamar Towers) impressively "graduated" many of my national and international students that had the opportunity to visit by his extended and remarkable gifts as a host.
I personally appreciated him as a classy man but I came to appreciate as well how much he loved and respected his children and the many others that they produced and the other that came later on. I was impressed by his docility when he was given "instructions" (advise or recommendations) from them ('mother is calling").

The Multiple Sclerosis community is eternally grateful to the Mesinger family. The establishment of the Maxine Mesinger MS Clinic (now elevated to 'Comprehensive Care Center" by the National MS Society) of the Department of Neurology at Baylor College of Medicine has given not just hope for the thousands of patients that have been benefited by its services and, research, but more importantly by the compassionate care provided by the highly trained and professional personnel of the clinic.
Emil represents the "MS Care Giver" per excellence and is a clear example of the unsinkable spirit of the ones that love and care for the ones that must struggle with the disease. One of my favorite students, now a faculty member in a college in Canada, wrote me at the passing of Emil: 'It was an honor to have had the opportunity to meet him during the 4 years I studied under you in Houston. I never met Maxine but Emil was in charge of enhancing her splendor...'

With all the possible love from Victor, Cristina and Wini

June 25, 2013

Dear Julie
Your parents were truly one of a kind! They were such a wonderful couple and their love was obvious. Between Maxine's infectious laugh and Emil's whicked observations - they were a force. So many fun nights at tony's, AMFAR events and of course the Maxine Mesinger Dinner of Champions.

I hope they had a HUGE martini ready for him. And they are with ol' blue eyes and the rest of their many celebrated friends. And they were friends to the great and the humble. And very much loved.
God bless - and gain comfort from your countless memories...

Melissa Stevens

June 24, 2013

Julie...even though we never see each other I do think of you and Jay often. I wonder if you have some of the same pictures I have of your mom. One day I went to Tootsies to see your dad and I brought a very young picture of him and some other photos. He really wanted this one and the only photo I had of him so I gave it to him. He got a kick out of seeing himself so handsome and so young. Emil had a lovely manner and a beautiful voice. My grandmother, Anita Paine, adored him. One day maybe you will come over to see some of these great photos. I just heard about your dad tonight and wish you comfort and I know you have a wonderful family to lean on when it gets very sad. Ellen Levine Schwartz you can contact me at [email protected]

Betsy Parish

June 23, 2013

Dear Julie and Jay,

My heart and prayers are with you during this difficult time. Your father was the epitome of a true southern gentleman in every sense. He will be missed by all who had the good fortune of knowing him. We are all blessed to have so many fond memories of his many kindnesses and unfailing sense of humor to comfort us. If heaven has swankiendas, I am sure Maxine and Emil are in one together, again!

Josh Mesinger

June 23, 2013

We all miss you Papa. You were an amazing, loving caring man who touched the lives of everyone that ever had the good fortune to meet you. I love you.

June 23, 2013

I first met Julie when Emil was living in NYC. We had the most raucous fun evenings in Julie's apartment. We would dine on London broil and listen to Emil's tales of life with Julie's momma. What an interesting and fulfilling life he had. I was so pleased to know such an interesting man. He will be missed by family - and friends. mary marvin

Susan Calvert

June 23, 2013

Julie and Jay,

I am the daughter of Henryetta Frachtman Nanas. I just wanted to say what a blessing your father was to my mother. They would speak on the phone often and she loved her cousin dearly. My thoughts are with you

Susan Nanas Calvert

June 22, 2013

Emil was a shining star at The Gathering.
He always had that special spark. He was so much fun to be with.

Karen Abramson

June 18, 2013

What a blessing to work with Emil in The Gathering at HFBC. He will be missed. May God give wonderful memories of this loved one to his family and friends.

Faye Russell

June 18, 2013

Emil was a dear friend to the Braniff family...
I always loved visiting with him and loved his wonderful sense if humor. I know that Maxine and Jan Becker welcomed him to heaven with a huge party! May God bless Emil ad your family...

Marsha and Jim Braniff

Yvonne Levine

June 18, 2013

Julie - What wonderful fond memories I have of the times we spent together with your family. Your father was a special man. Hugs, Yvonne

June 18, 2013

Julie,
Mark and I are in North Carolina for the summer and only just heard about darling Emil. We are so very sorry for your loss. He was a unique individual and brought such laughter and joy to our lives.

Linda Knight Quick

June 17, 2013

Dear Family,
Walter and I hope that you will celebrate the memory of Emil He was a wonderful husband and father and full of fun, His humor was beyond funny,
May you find comfort in your fondest memories.
Sincerely , Chris and Walter Kase

June 16, 2013

Julie, I am so sorry to hear about you Father. What a great man Emil was and now the wonderful couple Maxine and Emil are back together once again to spread their greatness to all in heaven.
Noonie Zuber Schmidt

Gary Alan BeBout

June 16, 2013

I have known Emil since the days of Stevens Interiors in the 1970ies on Waugh Dr...Maxine will be happy that He has joined her...You will be missed...

Frank & Connie Greider

June 15, 2013

What a great guy he was. I'm sure Maxine has a huge bash waiting for him. We all have a lot of great memories. God speed Emil.

David Mesinger

June 15, 2013

Julie and Jay: The family of Saul Mesinger sends it deepest condolences. With symathy from David, Jane and Jonathan Mesinger

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