Manuel Estreicher

1920 - 2014

MANUEL ESTREICHER, 94 Manuel "Manny" Estreicher, 94, of San Diego, CA, passed away peacefully at his home on Aug. 6, 2014, surrounded by his loving family. Manny was born February 13, 1920 in Pottstown, PA, the youngest son of Joseph Estreicher and Rose Hoffman. An accomplished pianist beyond his years, he took his extraordinary keyboard skills to New York City not long after high school, during the peak years of the "Big Band" era. Manny also earned recognition as a talented "crooner" and sang with several big bands, during that period, finally releasing a solo record, "Blue Rain." In 1941 he met the love of his life, Betty, and married in June of that year. Manny enlisted in the Army at the start of World War II, and later served in the Pacific with the 5th Air Force, during combat operations in the Philippines, and finally in Japan, during the occupation. After the War, Manny co-founded Ajax Products, Inc. of Boyertown, PA, where he and partner, Robert Chittick, built a successful building products manufacturing and distributing business over the next 30 years. After retiring in the mid-eighties he and Betty moved to their beach home in Cape May, NJ where they lived for 25years until relocating to San Diego, CA in 2004. Manny was a beloved husband, father, and grandfather. He was a 32nd Degree Mason, and member of the Lion's Club. He along with Betty were known for entertaining family and friends with wonderful dinner parties, which often included live music and an occasional cameo performance on the piano by "The Maestro", himself. He was preceded in death by his older brothers, Nathan and Morris. He is survived by his wife of 73 years, Betty; his sister, Gertrude Fogelson of NY; his son, Alex Estreicher and his wife Judy of Las Vegas, NV; his daughter Carol Clark and her husband, Jack of Rancho Santa Fe, CA; and his grandsons, Kol Estreicher and Reid Estreicher of Chicago, IL. A private service was held in San Diego on August 13, 2014.