We are so terribly saddened to hear, just now, about Ira's passing, What a wonderful, deeply caring and diverse man he was and will be sorely missed. We will cherish the times we were able to spend with him and forever appreciate his unique outlook on life.

Our love to Barbara, Shari, Stephanie, Alexandra and Ava...

Faith and Eric, Jesse, Harry and Bayley

Always Ira was a source of delight,inspiration whi8le being a modal for striving to give the world his best.
Without ever expressing his desire for others to follow his lead he led by example.

I just today found that Ira has passed on.
Heaaven is as lucky to have him,as we were when he was here.

But his spirit,indomitable on either side,lives.

My thoughts are with you all.

Lease Plimpton

The Kaplan family , Dave, Shirley, Barbara, Ira et al were friends developed through the food service industry. Enjoyed many happy years working with Dave and Ira. Remember playing jacks with his young daughter when staying in his home.
My sympathies to his family. Ira was a friend.

I just learned of Ira's passing. I send my deepest condolences to the family. What an incredible person he was. Such a leader in the industry, so generous with his time and resources to charities and causes. He was always trying to connect people and I was one of the very fortunate ones who was in his orbit for a very long time. I always learned from Ira. He will be in my heart forever.
Donna Boss
New York, NY

Barbara,
Karen told me the very sad news of Ira's passing. Please know that I am so sorry for you and your family.Fondly, Patti Lackey

Ira believed in our little company with nothing but a handshake. He taught us grace, enthusiasm, love, and the value of simply enjoying a smile. He is deeply missed by me and the team at High Road Ice Cream. Our prayers are sent and shared. We miss you, Ira.

We just learned of Ira's passing and we are so sorry for your loss. Ira was a very special and unique person. He will be missed by many.

Virginia & Idy Mendes

Barbara: I just learned of Ira's death. I am so very sorry for you and your family. Please accept my condolences.

Mindy Stafford

Ira was a driving force in the Foodservice industry. More importantly he was a wonderful human being. He and I were involved in many industry activities and I always enjoyed his positive energy and enthusiasm. Rest in peace and blessing to the Kaplan family. Gus Gregory

Ira-you will be missed by a world full of friends. Your infectious smile and thoughtful insights made us all think about the world we live in and the food service industry we all have loved for so many years. Our long discussions about issues, problems and opportunities in life and in business always came back to the joy you had with your family. I saw you and we spoke and broke bread just a few months ago when you were in Denver. I never thought that this would be the last time we would enjoy time together. So...it is with heavy heart that I and my entire firm offer Barbara, your children and the entire Kaplan family our sincerest sympathies at your loss. You were a giant among us Ira and you will never be forgotten. Bill Caruso-Denver, Colorado

Ira, we will miss you greatly. I've known Ira for decades. Every time I was in his company it was better than the last. Always cheerful. Always positive. Always encouraging.

Ira, We will miss your infectious smile, quick wit and wealth of knowledge that always was a part of conversing with you.
The Epicurean Club of Boston sends its condolences to the family.....

Ira will surely be missed I first meet Ira when he was with Servo Lift in Boston then to Irinox USA in Easton. He was a great man and any one who had the honor of meeting him or working with him lost a dear friend . RIP

Aidan Maguire

Dear Kaplan Family,

My prayers and condolences are with you and Ira. He one of he best. A true intellect that could discuss anything and always presented great perspective.

Truly a man of dignity and honor.

He will be missed.

To the family and friends of Ira Kaplan ~~

Ira was one of a kind and it seems that everyone he knew who was associated with the Epicurean Club of Boston and American Culinary Federation was touched, impressed and always entertained by his wonderful spirit, his humor and his love for life. We truly feel blessed to have known him, and will always remember him with affection. Sending love to all of you and wishing for strength in the days ahead. Sincerely, Sharon & Rico DiFronzo

My sincere condolences to the Kaplan family. I remember Ira was a great Red Sox fan and going to a game with him at old Comiskey Park during NRA, when his team was in town.

For four decades I had the good fortune to grow up in the industry with my good friend, Ira. He was inspirational, genuine and fun to be around. He will be greatly missed. We send our condolences to his family.

Robert McGrath
Beverly, MA

I will miss my "Uncle Ira"! We met when I was in my early twenties and working at Med-Serv, he was my mentor, my friend. I was supplied with books, words of wisdom, hugs, laughter and inspiration down through the years. He made me feel validated, special and supported my habit of thinking outside the box. Uncle Ira would take my phone calls anytime, and always shared his thoughts, and ask me questions that would somehow lead me to the answer I was looking for. I loved him and will miss him terribly! I am blessed that he has left me with many fond memories.

As Ira so deeply touched me, It is with a heavy heart, that I offer my condolences to his family. Your loss is so much greater than those of us who had the privilege of meeting him in the business world. May God give you peace and heal your hearts until we can share love and laughter with him again.

His "Neice",

Sheila Bivins
FRS Asheville

DEAR KAPLANS, I LOVED IRA, HE WAS A WONDERFUL UNIQUE PERSON. WITH HIM PASSING THEY BROKE THE "MOLD" I KNEW HE ALWAYS HAD MY BACK...A COMFORT IN THIS CRAZY WORLD. MY LOVE TO THE WHOLE FAMILY. NANCY

Ira Kaplan was a human super-nova... bursting with light, happiness and energy. He may not be with us here on earth, but we only need to look toward the night sky to see his light shining bright on all of us.

Ira's unique ability to make one feel good about oneself
was a gift he gave to so many`who had the good fortunate to be in his life. God bless my friend
Bob Logan

Ira was a true giant in our industry. His professionalism, positive attitude, yearning to teach/educate, never ending smile and quick wit were only a few of his many attributes. I had the pleasure of knowing Ira for over thirty years, always looking for him at industry events to hear his "bits of wisdom".
My sincerest condolences to his entire family as he will be missed by all of us.

Rest in peace good friend. To a wonderful generous man with always a kind smile and good advice. "When he was around love was always bouncing off the walls." You will be missed, but not forgotten. May God always be with you. Our sincere condolences to the Kaplan family.

I want to extend my very sincere condolences Ira's Family and the Irinox team. Ira had a very special place in my heart as he was one of the first members I met when I began working at FCSI. He always had a very kind word, sweet smile, or compliment to share when he saw me or when we spoke on the phone. I always appreciated his kind spirit and positive attitude. He will be missed by all of us at FCSI.

I want to extend my very sincere condolences to Ira's family and the Irinox USA Team. Ira had a very special place in my heart as he was one of the first members I met when I began working for FCSI. He always had a very kind word, sweet smile, or compliment to share when he saw me or when we spoke on the phone. I always appreciated his kind spirit and positive attitude. He will be missed by all of us at FCSI.

To Barbara and Family, I'm so sorry for your loss. My cousin Roz sent me some info on Ira and even tho I never met him he truly sounds like he was a wonderful beautiful man and person. You all were very blessed to have him in your lives. He will live on in your hearts! Love, Bea

I met Ira when I was barely out of college, a newbie at Hobart, back in 1980. He and I immediately bonded at one of my first NAFEM meetings. We've been strong friends ever since, over all these years.

Question: Has anyone ever seen Ira without a big grin, a sincere smile, and nothing but praise and support coming from his mouth? I doubt it......

One of the finest people I've EVER met, I am so sad now. Condolences to Barbara and to Shari, who became a good friend over the years. We'll miss him.

Ira brightened the room, always smiling, energetic. I enjoyed my time around him. Blessings to him and his family.

Ira Kaplan was a giant of our industry...an food service ambassador without equal. He was a mentor, a father figure, a friend and a confidant....he was simply SPECTACULAR...my deepest condolences to his bride, Barbara; his daughters, Shari and Stephanie; and his granddaughters, Alexandra, and Ava. We will not see his like again.

I have know Ira my entire professional career (45 years).....Ira was one of a kind and didn't know the word no or I can't. He was a wonderful business man to work with. Our deepest condolences to Ira's family. We will never forget you Ira...safe travels on life's next adventure.

Such a sweet man! I am sad to hear of his passing but feel so blessed to have known him. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family. I wish you peace and comfort.

incredible man, generous, giving and always positive. he will be greatly missed. my deepest condolances.

Condolences to the entire family. Ira will be greatly missed by all of us who he encountered on a daily basis. Boundless enthusiasm, a constant smile, positive outlook on life. Our condolences to his family.

Ira was a true friend to everyone and was the example of the very best in his business and in dealing with all manner of situations. He is truly an industry giant. I have had the pleasure and tremendous good luck to have known Ira for at least three if not four decades and loved every minute of our time together. Phyllis and I send our deepest sympathy and love to all the family, but to Sheri particularly whom I knew best. We will miss Ira very much, but know he is in a better place now watching over all of us

To the Kaplan family - I am so sorry for your loss. I had the pleasure of sitting with Ira and Shari at the FCSI Conference in Nashville this past April. Ira was such a positive person and an inspiration to us all.

Ira has been a long time advocate for and supporter of the FCSI Educational Foundation. On behalf of the EF, our sincere condolences to his family. We have lost a good friend but will forever treasure memories of his positive outlook on life, infectious smile and dedication to upholding FCSI professionalism and ethics.

A wonderful man with contagious enthusiasm. An amazing friend with patience and passion. Ira, you will be missed. On behalf of all of us at Burlodge, deepest condolences to the Kaplan Family.

To the Kaplan Family, Please accept my personal condolences. Ira was always available for all of us in the foodservice industry and specialy with FCSI.
In the Name of FCSI WW rest in peace my good friend.

We are truly saddened by the passing of one of our industry's icons. Ira and i saw each other at many, many events through the years and I can never remember him without a smile and a comment. Rest in peace Ira, you will not be forgotten.

I will aways remember Ira for the tour that he and Barbara invited me to join them on in Malta after which they 'adopted' me into their family... and that when asked how his day was going he always responded "spectacular!"

My dearest condolences to Barbara, Shari and the family.

I'll always remember the first time Ira and I met - We were instant friends. He always had a smile, a good word and was most uplifting. Ira will be dearly missed by many. Love and sympathy to Shari and the Kaplan family.

I'm very sorry for your loss.Beside the industry accolades which you will hear many, Ira was my friend who always made me feel important. I think he had a gift with people, one that I observed a hundred times. He shared knowledge in a way that you felt that you were having this great idea, not Ira.When you look up "Class Act" in the dictionary there should be a picture of Ira Kaplan right there. Rich

What a great man. Always a smile, always something funny to say. So many memories. My deepest sympathy to Barbara and family. A real legend in the industry Ira loved. Rest in peace my friend

Our thoughts and prayers are with Barbara and the Kaplan Family during this troubling time.A friend for over 50 years who will be missed by all.Rest in Peace!
Ted & Judy Kolstad

My deepest sympathies to Barbara and the Kaplan family. Ira always inspired me to think more deeply, generously and openly. He will be missed. Here is a picture of when I last saw him in New York a few years ago.

Condolences to the family. Ira will be greatly missed by the foodservice industry here in the Northeast and around the globe as well. Our condolences to his family.

Condolences to the Kaplan family. I enjoyed working with Ira. Peace be with you all. Dave

Ira was compassion and love.
Tony Stonitsch - Chicago