VICTOR SCHLESINGER

SCHLESINGER
VICTOR. After graduating from Central High, Victor enlisted in the Army and was assigned to the intelligence unit of General Eisenhower's staff. As a result of his service during the planning for and the landing at Normandy (D-Day), the General awarded him a Bronze Star for Valor. When he returned to civilian life, he began his career in mortgage banking with the Veterans Administration. When his talent and skill were recognized, Mr. Nat Wolfson of Eastern Mortgage Service Corporation hired him. Eastern subsequently merged with Colonial Mortgage Corporation. Under Victor's leadership, Colonial expanded from a local enterprise to a national business with offices in 42 states and servicing exceeding one billion dollars. Victor was instrumental in the purchase of Colonial Mortgage by Philadelphia National Bank ,which subsequently became Corestates. As Chairman and CEO of Colonial, Victor took a leadership role in its sale to GMAC where he also served as Chairman and CEO until his retirement in 1990. He simultaneously served on the Board of Directors of General Motors as well as other large corporations. In his leisure time, Victor was a well-known actor who often had the lead roles in local theater productions at Stagecrafters in Chestnut Hill. He loved to travel with his family and friends and readily admitted that Paris was his favorite destination. Victor and his childhood sweetheart Ruthe Platt were married for 61 years when she passed away in 2008. He is survived by three children: Ronald Schlesinger, Margie Schlesinger Saland (David), and Andrew Schlesinger, five grandsons: Joshua Getz (Dena), Ian Schlesinger, Alex Schlesinger, Eric Schlesinger and Daniel Schlesinger and one great grandson, Ethan Daniel Getz. Relatives and friends are invited to Graveside Services Mon. 11 A.M. at Montefiore Cem. In In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Thomas Jefferson University Hospital.