SIDNEY LAPOOK Obituary

LaPOOK--Sidney,

died peacefully June 29th at age 99 surrounded by family after a joyous and fulfilled life. Beloved husband, best friend and partner of 66 years to Elsa LaPook (died 2009), extraordinary father to Judith, Nancy (Diamond), Jonathan, and Corinne and adored father-in-law to Bob Diamond, Kate Lear, and Wayne Pasternack, he was the devoted and idolized Poppy of Michael and wife, Nicole, Rebecca, Laura, Sam, Daniel, Jesse and Noah. Sidney, son of Isaac and Gussie LaPook, and brother of Sylvia, grew up on the streets of Bayonne, New Jersey working at his father's candy store, the beginning of a life- long love affair with food and restaurants. He graduated from New York University and NYU Dental College, meeting his beloved Elsa in 1940. Sidney enlisted in the US Army serving with distinction in Patton's Third Army including at the Battle of the Bulge. His recognitions included the French Legion of Honor. He entertained friends and family throughout his life with the remarkable tale of saving a cow while stationed in France, for which he received the eternal gratitude of the town (please see the short CBS News piece about him): www.cbsnews.com/amp/news/us-medic-is-still-local-hero-in-france. Returning home, he reunited with his wife Elsa, and began an illustrious career as a dentist specializing in maxillo-facial prosthetics and as an educator, which he continued until the age of 97. His army service informed his life-long commitment to community service including as President of Long Island Jewish Staff Society, co-founder and President of the Malverne Jewish Center, President of the West Hempstead School Board, and President of the American Heart Association, Nassau County. His vitality, eternal optimism against all odds, appreciation of every moment, and his ability to entertain us with a lifetime of stories will continue to be an inspiration to us all. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to People For the American Way: www.PFAW.org or the Central Park Conservancy: centralparknyc.org. A celebration of his life will be held in August.

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Published by New York Times on Jul. 3, 2018.

Memories and Condolences
for SIDNEY LAPOOK

9 Entries

Joan Flamio-Ruiz

June 30, 2024

Had the pleasure of meeting him at LIJ Hospital as an attending dentist and teacher.
friendly and caring human being.
May he rest in peace.

July 13, 2018

May his memories live on in the hearts and prayers of love ones bringing comfort as he R.I.P Wait for God's will to be done on earth as it is in Heaven doing away with death and pain shortly.

Ron Burakoff

July 11, 2018

I was fortunate to know Sidney for the last seventeen years. He was very active in so many venues that it is impssible to list the impact he had on the many organizations in which he held leadership positions.
He was on the dental medicine staff at Long Island Jewish Hospital for over fifty years. His greatest contribution was the time he spent speaking with young residents and giving them advice on how to be good citizens and how to take seriously the burden of being a professional.
He gave of himself freely and was loved and admired by many.
Ron Burakoff

Robert Granick

July 6, 2018

Dr. Sidney LaPook will now join a long proud history of Jewish storytellers from Sholem Aleichem to Isaac Bashevis Singer. A bit of exaggeration? Perhaps, but isn't that what good story telling is all about? Sidney's long life afforded me the opportunity to meet him in his final year. For that I consider myself fortunate.

July 4, 2018

My condolences to the family. To live a long life is its own blessing. I regret I did not see your father is too many years. But I will always remember his sense of humor and his smile. All dentists are not funny, although they try to be; Sidney was. With love, Kenny Peck

JRJrv

July 3, 2018

My deepest condolences to the family of Sidney Lapook as they mourn the death of their love one. Please find comfort in Psalms147: 3 God will heal the brokenhearted.

R F

July 3, 2018

Judith, my condolence to you and the LaPook Family and relatives for your great loss of your dear father Sidney. For comfort and peace, the God of the Heavens promise to comfort you by soothing your hearts and healing your pains. (Jeremiah 31:13b)

July 3, 2018

May you celebrate a life well-lived and cherish the many memories created along the way. May you find strength & gain comfort and God's loyal love. Psalms 103:8

Andrew Abrams

July 1, 2018

I am so sorry to hear this. From the days in West Hempstead as caring dentist, family friend and community leader, he was loved by all who knew him. My sincerest condolences to the family.

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