Abraham Joseph Zeeland Firestone

HAMPTON - Abraham Joseph Zeeland Firestone, one of the last of the Greatest Generation, passed on 04/09/2016. He is survived by his wife of 69 years, "the love of my life," Ernestine, four children; Carol Ann "Tess" Firestone, Steven Firestone (Debbie), Claudia Firestone Stiebel (Bill), and William Firestone. Five grandchildren; Stefanie Fischel, Jared Fischel, Matt Fischel (Edith), Sam Stiebel (Emily), Sally Ein (Mark), four great grandchildren, and his brother, Irwin Firestone. A first generation American, Abe landed at Ellis Island at the age of 1 day. He grew up in Brooklyn, N.Y. After joining the Army Air Corp, Abe came to Newport News as a flight officer, assigned to Langley AFB, in preparation for duty in England during WWII While assigned to Langley Field, during the Jewish Holidays, William Morgenstern, the father of Ernestine Morgenstern (Firestone), invited the young officer to come to Rodef Sholom Temple to participate in holiday services. Here, he met his future bride, Ernestine. At the end of the war, Abe returned to Newport News, where he married Ernestine and started Firestone Insurance Services and Cardinal Premium Finance Companies, operating these businesses until he retired in 1994. The success of these ventures allowed Abe to tirelessly give time and financial support to worthy causes, and give generously to friends, those in need, and the greater community. Abe was a World War Two hero, recipient of multiple medals, including two Distinguished Flying Crosses (B-17 Bomber, 34th Bomb Group, Lead Pathfinder aircraft), husband, father, mentor, benefactor and successful businessman. Abe was a man who supported and was deeply committed to his family, his religion (Rodef Shalom Temple), America, and community enriching organizations like Rotary, where he was an active member for over 25 years. To all who knew him, Abe was a man of honor and integrity; his word was his bond. Abe was a man who knew no strangers, always quick with a pun, kind, gentle, and quietly generous to all. He always responded to the regular greeting, "How's it going?" with "I feel like a million dollars...all green and wrinkled." And, he never liked German hot dogs... "they're the wurst. " To all of the people who have joined the Firestone Family in saying goodbye to this truly Quality man, thank you. To the myriad of friends who supported him in his later years, as his health began to falter, we are grateful more than mere words can express. A man's immortality rests through and in the minds and memories of all who survive him. He will truly be missed. Service will be at Rodef Sholom Temple on Monday, April 11, 2016 at 1:00 p.m., with the burial to follow in the Jewish Cemetery of Virginia Peninsula. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Rodef Sholom Temple, 318 Whealton Road, Hampton, Virginia 23666 or a charity of your choice in Abe's memory. Arrangements are under the care of Peninsula Funeral Home, Newport News.