Herman Lubinsky Jr.

1940 - 03

Herman Lubinsky Jr. passed away in his sleep in Pine Township, near Pittsburgh, on the evening of Dec. 28 2014, after a four year battle with lung cancer, comforted by his loving wife, Ellen Blair-Lubinsky. Herman was 74 years old. Born March 18, 1940, in Newark, N.J., he was the third child of five born to Adaline Brunner-Lubinsky and Herman Lubinsky Sr. "Dink", as he was known, spent his early years playing stoop bowl on the city streets of Newark and much of his youth in Bradley Beach, N.J., hanging around the board walk and attending the Bradley Beach grammar school. He loved listening to early R and B, Doo Wop, and pop music from the 1940's, 50's and 60's and his favorite film and radio D.J., Alan Freed, who he visited many times at the Brooklyn Paramount, and the NY Paramount theatres. In his 20's, while starting his own family, Herman worked at his father's retail record store, The Savoy, located under the family's recording studios and record label. Savory records, which featured Jazz, and early Gospel greats such as Charlie Parker, James Cleveland, Dizzy Gillespie, the Clara Ward Singers, Little Esther, Billy Eckstine, Miles Davis and many more. Herman Jr. also worked with his father at New Jersey's first radio station, which was located in the attic of the family's Newark home, WNJ, also known as the voice of Newark. Dink also owned and operated Springwood Electronics in Asbury Park, N.J., Grannies Attic, a vintage furniture store, and T.J. Specialties, a boutique electronics and vacuum tube business, both located on Main Ave., in Bradley Beach, N.J. He retired to South Florida in 1980. For the last 15 years, Herman advised his youngest son, Terry "TJ" Lubinsky, as a music consultant and executive in charge of talent relations for many TV and live concerts, Doo Wop, (50) Rock Pop and 70 soul superstars and many other TV series, specials and cd compilation albums, featuring original recordings from the 1950s, '60s and '70s. A loving father to his children and grandchildren, Herman always championed the efforts and independence of his children, entrepreneur, Ricky Allen Lubinsky, and homemaker Laurie Lubinsky-Meyer, David Herman Lubinsky and Terry James Lubinsky. David became a professional Jai-Alai player with the encouragement of his dad, and Herman inspired Terry's broadcasting career. TJ recalls the determination (of his father) from an early age," there is an exception to every rule", my dad used to say to me when I was about six years old, "and you are that exception." "Never accept no as a final answer for something you believe in." Later when we were making the TV shows, reuniting all the old groups, I was always amazed how every performer loved him and how they laughed together, he was loved by so many people that knew him. Remembered as funny and caring with a warm outgoing personality, some of Herman's favorite joys came from his family, lifelong friends and from enjoying Three Stooges shorts, James Bond films, attending all the music concerts and rooting and watching his beloved San Francisco Giants on TV. Herman's greatest love was his wife, Ellen Blair-Lubinsky, whom he adored and cherished every day during their 57 years of marriage. Herman's memory as Pappy will always be adored and cherished by his children and grandchildren, with whom he shared a special connection with, his nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Private memorial service will be held Sunday, Jan. 4, 2015, for Herman's family and friends. Arrangements entrusted to SCHELLHAAS FUNERAL HOME and CREMATION SERVICES LTD. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in Herman's honor to Hillman Cancer Center, UPMC Cancer Pavillion, Suite 1B, 5150 Center Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15232, http://www.upmccancercenter.com. Please pay tribute at http://www.schellhaasfh.com.