Irving Hershey Gold

August 21, 1920 - December 6, 2013 Irving Hershey Gold, founder of Super Yarn Mart and DAK Realty died in his home on Dec. 6, 2013, at the age of 93. He was interred at Hillside Memorial Park on Dec. 9, 2013. Hershey, as he was known to all, was born in Chicago, Illinois to parents Benjamin Gold and Dora Pastor. He moved to Los Angeles in 1949 with his wife Bernice. The couple had two children, Barry, wife Judith, and Shirley, husband Robert. Here Hershey, a self-educated man, established Super Yarn Mart a vertical operation that spun, dyed, and sold hand knitting yarn in 37 stores throughout the western United States. Hershey's wonderful life extended far beyond his home and business. He became active politically, working on behalf of Jewish causes including Israel. It was this passion that took him all over the world and led him to meet and marry Nan Cohen Gold, his wife of 31 years. Hershey was a political appointee, confirmed by the Senate, who served under Presidents Reagan and Bush. He was a member of the seven person Commission on Public Diplomacy of the United States information Agency, now part of the State Department. Hershey also served as Finance Director for Senator Scoop Jackson's 1976 campaign for the Democratic Party's presidential nomination. For over 60 years, Hershey was closely involved with the Jewish community. He served as Los Angeles Chairman of both Israel Bonds and of Sharre Zedek Hospital located in Jerusalem. Hershey was active in the merger of the hospitals Cedars of Lebanon and Sinai that created the current Cedars Sinai Hospital. For decades Hershey has served on the Board of B'nai David Judea Congregation which he helped create through a merger of two congregations. Hershey touched the lives of many people as a teacher, mentor, and friend. He loved to use his experience to help others. He believed that his talents and achievements were not his alone, but gifts from God to be shared. He was very generous. He placed a high value on his marriage and family. He was a wonderful, involved husband, father, and grand-father. He was blessed to have, in addition to his children Barry Gold and Shirley Newman, four grandchildren: Kenn Gold, Darrin Gold, Adam Newman and Dana Newman. He was grateful to live long enough to see the birth of his third generation: Kyle Gold, Chelsea Gold and Skyler Newman. Hershey's life is an inspiration to us all. He will be greatly missed. Contributions in Hershey's memory can be made to JNF.org/tributes.