Leon Albin

Leon Albin, of Pikesville, Maryland, passed away on Monday, October 28th, 2024, at the age of 98. He is survived by his loving children, Linda (Ephraim) Krief, Larry Albin, Howard Albin, and Lisa Albin; his adoring grandchildren, Danny (Brigitte) Krief, Molly (John) Dulaj, Eric Krief, Anya Kauffman, and Ellie Kauffman; and his cherished great grandson, Stav Gez. He was predeceased by his beloved wife, Beverly Albin (nee Shear); his dear siblings, Harold (Tula) Albin, Blanche (Aaron) Wolf, Beatrice (Maurice) Schwartz, and Bessie (Albert) Hirsch; and his devoted parents, Cecelia and David Albin.

Leon Albin was born and raised in Baltimore to parents, David and Cecelia Albin, who both immigrated from Romania. Leon grew up on Pennsylvania Avenue, on top of a second-hand army/navy clothing store run by his dad-where, in his own words, they "adapted to a way of life with struggling and no complaints." Leon was the first in his family to obtain a college degree at the University of Baltimore. He met Beverly Shear when he was 19 years old and she was 17. They were married 2 years later for 69 years, until Beverly passed away a little over 7 years ago. Over his lifetime, Leon became a leader in the Baltimore Jewish Community, in business, and then in the Maryland State Government. Among his many leadership roles, Leon was head of the Maryland ZOA, and one of the two founders of Greenspring Synagogue which became Ner Tamid, and Chairman of the Board of Ner Tamid.

Leon's successful business career started when he took his father's one small store and turned it into a chain of 17 sporting goods stores, named Lee's Surplus, then Lee's Outdoors, then Lee's Sports-becoming the largest sporting goods chain in the State of Maryland. After selling the business in 1986, Leon ran for and was elected as a member of the Maryland House of Representatives. Leon served in the Maryland House of Delegates for 8 years. Previously he had been on the Maryland State Liquor Board and State Central Committee. Leon served in the U.S. Navy during World War II and is a Jewish war veteran. Leon was most proud of his family and his 35 years of Jewish and secular community work, imbuing all aspects of his life with great honor, integrity, and gratitude for the beautiful life he made with his loving wife.

Services for Leon Albin will be held at Sol Levinson's Chapel, 8900 Reisterstown Road, Pikesville, MD 21208, on Wednesday, October 30th, 2024, at 1 pm. The burial will take place at Shaarei Tfiloh Cemetery. Please omit flowers. Contributions in his memory may be sent to The Associated: Jewish Federation of Baltimore, 5700 Park Heights Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21215. Please refer to Sol Levinson's website for shiva information.