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Max Heller Obituary
Greenville
Max Heller, 92, visionary, humanitarian and beloved citizen and family man of Greenville, S.C., passed away peacefully on June 13th surrounded by his loving family.
He was born in 1919 in Vienna, Austria to Israel and Leah Hirschl Heller. In 1938, he escaped the Holocaust with the help of Mary Mills of Greenville who he called his angel. The citizens of Greenville opened their hearts and homes to him and he never forgot them. By 1969, after successfully building his own shirt company, he retired to serve Greenville, the State and its citizens. He served on the Greenville City council, two terms as Mayor and Chairman of the State Development Board. Known for his sharp mind and unshakable integrity, he served the citizens of Greenville and the State of South Carolina on numerous not-for-profit and Corporate Boards. He had a passion for knowledge and education. He received honorary doctorate degrees from Furman University, Clemson University, and Winthrop University.
In a joint effort with leaders of Greenville, Max Heller initiated the vitalization of downtown where on May 28th, 2009 on his 90th birthday, he was honored with the dedication of a bronze sculpture and storyboards on Main Street.
Max Heller was a longstanding member of Congregation Beth Israel where he served as President and was an active member.
His good heart, kind deeds and great humanitarianism touched all who came in contact with him. He was often quoted as saying, "I believe in Miracles, I just don't depend on them." Max will be forever cherished in the lives of those he touched.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother Leo, his sister Paula Korf and her son Gary and his son-in-law, Edward Moses. He is survived by the love of his life for 69 years, Trude Schonthal Heller, whom he proposed to when she was 15 years old. They were married in 1942 on Main Street in Greenville. His greatest pleasure in life was his family to whom he was affectionately known as "Popi Max". He is also survived by daughters Francie Heller, Susan Heller Moses and son Steven Heller and wife Margaret; 10 grandchildren, Lauren Hurvitz (David Katz), Julie Friedland (David Friedland), Lynne Moses Garfinkel (Dr Michael Garfinkel), Robert Hurvitz (Jaymee), Stuart Hurvitz (Shiva), Daniel Moses (Allison), Sarah Heller (Scott Koenig), Rory Heller, Andrew Heller, Elliot Heller; 15 great-grandchildren, Benjamin, Jason and Carly Hurvitz, Adam and Jami Garfinkel, Natalie, CC, and Lila Katz, Jack and Charlie Moses, Olivia, John and Lily Friedland and Henry and Jake Hurvitz and his nephew Gene Korf (Maddy).
A funeral service will be Wednesday, June 15th at 11:00a.m. at Congregation Beth Israel, 425 Summit Drive with Rabbi Julie Kozlow officiating. Interment to follow at Beth Israel Cemetery. The family will receive friends following the burial at Congregation Beth Israel.
In lieu of flowers, memorials please be made to the Max and Trude Heller Scholarship Fund or to the Max and Trude Heller Service Corps, both in care of Furman University Development office, 3300 Poinsett Highway, Greenville, SC 29613 or to the Max and Trude Heller Education Fund at Congregation Beth Israel, 425 Summit Drive, Greenville, SC 29609.
The obituary and online guest register is at www.mackeymortuary.com The Mackey Mortuary, 311 Century Drive.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Max Heller
André Jamar
June 8, 2020
At this time of the year I always think of my friend Max Heller with whom I shared office space at the Hyatt.
Never thought I would outlive him for so many years I am 95 now and still remember the wonderful times we spent together and also with his wife Trude
Andre Jamar
Karin Lukas-Cox
October 13, 2019
He is an inspiration to me. I share his story in both the USA and Austria, where I work and live. Your legacy is carried on. I never met you, but I have heard and read a lot about you.
Andre Jamar
June 8, 2019
At 94 I still treasure my friend Max's memory
Andre Jamar
Meyer Drucker
June 20, 2011
Trude:
It was an honor to work with Max during his last year at Maxon Shirt Company. You and Max were a great team in everything you did...whether it was in business, politics or service to the community. Meyer Drucker, Conway, South Carolina
June 15, 2011
At this painful time, please receive our deepest condolences for the loss of beloved Max. He was an exemplary husband, father, leader and friend who will always be remembered with great affection.
Susan (Katz) and Sid Doobrow (Fort Mill, SC)
Carlyle Steele
June 15, 2011
I was honored to have known Mayor Heller. Not only was he the father of modern downtown Greenville, but his noble efforts were costly to him in his 1978 race for congress. He was a great American, a great South Carolinian, a great Democrat , and a great man. Carlyle Steele
Aurelia Corbitt
June 15, 2011
Dear Susan,
I have great memories of your wonderful, parents from our Wade Hampton High School days! You, Francie, and Steve are their fine legacies to the world. How proud they have always been of you three!
Love's last gift is a beautiful, memory and I know you have many treasured, cherished, memories of your amazingly talented, generous, and kind father whose integrity was beyond reproach. Max was Mr. Greenville, a legend in his own time.
Susan, we have lived our entire married life in Coral Gables, Florida and recently moved to Dallas, Texas to be closer to our daughter,Camilla Corbitt, who recently married a Dallas native, John Hazelton.
I send to you, your mother, and entire family my heartfelt and deepest, sympathy.
Aurelia Francis Corbitt
Dallas, Texas
Kathy Barney
June 15, 2011
Love and comfort to your family. Mayor Heller will always have a place in my heart since I met him in 1974 when President Ford came to town. My father, Allen Barney, orchestrated the visit and Mayor Heller was a keynote speaker. I'll always remember his kindness toward me. A great, and caring man.
johnny westbrook
June 15, 2011
Back in 1960 I played little league baseball for Maxon Shirt company. Mr. Heller supported this ball club. A great man has fallen. God be with his family and close friends.
john,marcie and gabbi baker
June 15, 2011
i knew Max Heller only casually through my father David Baker, of Columbia.
Max Heller welcomed me with
open arms when i asked him
to accompany me to ask
Carolina First bank to consider
investing in the State. of
Israel with a purchase of an
israel bond. the bank purchased $ 500,000 on the
spot and at one time held $1
million of these wonderful
instruments all due to Max Heller!!
" may the memory of the righteous forever be a blessing"
Tom Duncan
June 14, 2011
My parents, Norvin & Frances Duncan, lived near Max & Trude for many years; they have also both passed on, but I remember what great esteem they had for Max and all that he did for Greenville. My condolences to Trude and all Max's family - he was a caring, honorable man who will be remembered fondly by many.
Renee Burckhalter
June 14, 2011
Working for Mr. Heller in a suite of offices in the Hyatt Hotel was my first job when I moved to Greenville in 1987. What an experience that was and I grew to love and respect him so much just listening to his many stories about how he got to the United States, his beautiful wife Trude, his early life in Greenville and his wonderful family. What a truly remarkable man who will be deeply missed by his family and the people of Greenville. Trude and family - you are all in my thoughts and prayers.
Becky McCall
June 14, 2011
Truely a man to admire. Steven I was in elementary school with you only a" few years ago" I lived next door to Summit Drive Elementary...we ran in and out of your home and mine for several years and your parents were always so kind.
Years later your dad's office was on Main Street and he was leaving work and my husband had come to pick me up at work which was next door at Dr. Wayne Brock's office, Jim, my husband had gotten a "tame squirrel" to surprise me with, when I opened the door the squirrel jumped out, about the same time Mr. Heller was walking across the parking lot to his car! There in his suite and tie he was on his hands and knees along with Jim and myself reaching under cars and helping us run the squirrel down,,,yep! We got him!
To the family, I am so sorry for your loss, I know he will be deeply missed by all.
Becky Boggs McCall
Gray Court, S.C.
Andre Jamar
June 14, 2011
It has been my privilege to be considered as a friend of long standing by Max Heller: I will miss him. He was such a great person
Andre Jamar
Bill Beavers
June 14, 2011
Mr Heller was a good and honorable man, who left Greenville a better place than it was when he arrived.
Donna and Stephen Perlstein
June 13, 2011
May his memory be an enduring blessing.
Linda DeGear hardwick
June 13, 2011
I had the great privilegde to haved served under the leadership of a true visionary in Greenville County Government. He was a inspiration to myself & many other Greenvillians. He was a true visonary & gentleman of the highest regard. May his rest this day be in Paradise.
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