Seymour Epstein

EPSTEIN--Seymour. Former President and CEO of Shelburne Shirt Company died De cember 19, 2008 at 89. Born in Brooklyn, NY and attended Boys High, he graduated from Columbia College and Columbia Law school in 1942. he was honored to accept membership to Columbia Law Review. He passed the bar before attening Columbia Midshipman's School. During World War II Mr. Epstein served as a naval commander in both the Atlantic and Pacific theaters. Although he loved the law, after the war he accepted the responsibility of a leadership role in the family business at the request of his father. He took a small family run shirt company and expanded it into an international manufacturing business. He served on the board of the National Manufacturers Association and was proud that he could offer business opportunities to his family and extended family members. He was respected for his honesty and integrity not only in business, but in his personal life as well. His caring and generosity touched all who knew him. He was honored and proud to be in a position to donate to many charitable organizations such as the UJA and NYU Langone Medical Center. His philanthropy was wide ranging and he encouraged and inspired his children and grandchildr en to recognize the importance of charity. He created a charitable foundation in his parents name to enable all in his family to participate in experiencing the joy of giving even at a very young age. His generosity knew no bounds. His devotion to and love of his family was the driving force of his life. He is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 61 years, Muriel nee Joseph, his children, Randy Austin and her husband Bruce Firger, Bob Epstein and his partner Jacqueline Buckner, Jane Epstein and her husband Edgar Roeper, and Susan Gross and her husband Jeffrey Gross; his seven adored grandchildren David Austin and his wife Tammy Yuen, Lauren Austin, Cass, Josh and Alex Epstein, Sam and Jamie Gross and his great granddaughter Amelia Rose Austin who gave him such great joy in the last two years. He is also survived by his brother Selwyn Epstein, his beloved sister and brother-in-law Blossom and Irwin Greystone, and his many nieces, nephews and friends. In addition to his devotion to his immediate family he was a role model and trusted advisor to his large extended family all of whom knew they could look to him for his wise advise, counsel and love. He will be in our hearts forever. Services will be held at Campbell Funeral Home, Madison Ave, NYC on December 23rd at 11am. Donations in Seymour's name may be made to NYU Langone Medical Center Stem cell research.