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Howard Teddy Kirschner
Howard Teddy Kirschner
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Howard Kirschner Obituary
Howard Kirschner was a father and a husband and an uncle and a restaurant owner. He was also Benny the Bull. Yes, that Benny the Bull. Howard passed away November 27. His spirit and legacy lives on through his wife Paulette nee Lapin and his daughters and sons-in-law Joey and Michael Waldman and Annie and Scott Smith. Other recipients of his bedtime stories, odd jokes and goofy tales are his grandchildren Evan and Sophie Waldman and Brynn and Rory Smith. He is also survived by his best friend, his sister Carol. He is also remembered by his occasional partner-in-crime and always brother-in-law, Jeff Lapin. If we're being honest, Howie has many. many people who will remember him, because he was kind and funny and would give you the shirt off his back or a second or third or fourth chance. He was the owner of Sam and Hy's deli in Skokie and a purveyor to many of Chicago's finest restaurants. He made friends everywhere he went, no matter whom he was talking to. Howie was the kind of man who bought a Corvette for himself but the license plate was his daughters' names. Howie would, with very little prompting, tell you everything about a nearby railroad. Or Chicago history. Or the origin of the food you were eating. Howie will be remembered as being unforgettable. Services will be held Friday at 2 pm. at Chicago Jewish Funerals, 8851 Skokie Blvd. (at Niles Center Road), Skokie. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association, 7272 Greenville Ave., Dallas, TX 75231, www.heart.org. To attend the funeral livestream, please visit our website. Arrangements by Chicago Jewish Funerals - Skokie Chapel. 847.229.8822, www.cjfinfo.com
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Jeri D. Calvetti
August 8, 2025
Dear Kirschner Family,
I just became aware of Howard´s passing. Such sad news. May his memory be a blessing, and may many loving memories fill your hearts forever.
Jeri Calvetti
Fred Weinstein
August 3, 2025
Howard --Dear " Brother " --RIP --I love you !--Fred
CAROLYN AND LOU SCHWARTZ
August 2, 2025
So many memories! Our first friends in Chicago and remained great friends sharing and making memories!!! THANK YOU HOWARD FOR BEING YOU!!!!!
Steven Demet
December 21, 2024
Dear Paulette, Joey and Annie, Maria and I were so saddened to hear of Howard's passing. I've known Howard for almost 40 years. It was always a pleasure to see him at Maxwell's and then Graziano's where was an integral part of our operation; supplying our customers with the highest quality foods. His help was invaluable. By introducing me to Howard and Paulette at SK Associates he saved me from financial ruin. Howard was our purveyor, our customer and a great friend. We even named a Kid's Meal after his Granddaughter; Sophie's Bone Chicken. I'll miss the way he always started a conversation with "You Know..." May his memory be eternal.
Steven and Maria Demet
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Renee A Freireich
December 16, 2024
I knew Howard for about 43 years. From Sam & Hy's and beyond. He knew my ex-husbands grandparents and parents. He knew my whole family. I have worked with him on his computers since 2007, and loved to go to his house. He was so easy to be around. His love of jazz, food, Chicago history, trains, his besties from Rogers Park that he had breakfast with every weekday. I am so glad my grandson, who plays the sax, had the opportunity to meet Howard when he came to help me setup a new wireless mesh system. They started talking about trains and Howard pulled out a book on trains. I found out he died last night. I was so upset. He was a real friend. My heart goes out to Paulette, his family and close friends. Such a loss.
Renee A Freireich
David Kling
December 10, 2024
I was so shocked and saddened to hear about Howard´s passing. I had known Howard for about 30 years - he sold me lox, shrimp and other items during that time. I always looked forward to speaking with him on the phone; he had such a way of making you feel special. My absolute favorite memory: he came to visit me at the store where I work. We started chatting, and we both discovered that we had a mutual love of jazz. Before I knew it, we were sitting in his car for about half an hour listening to jazz songs on his tape deck. I will always remember his warmth, generosity of spirit, and his sense of joy.
Best wishes,
David Kling
Gary & Debbie Sylvan
December 5, 2024
Just read about Howard's passing. He was a great guy, funny, and nice to be around. Met him through my partnership with Paulette in 1988. Sorry to hear this sorrowful news. Paulette, Joey and Annie: Our true condolences. (P.S. - Howard (before we knew him) was Benny the Bull at a Bulls game when my daughter was about 4 years old, and he walked her around the stadium! That would have been about 50 years ago!
Gary & Debbie Sylvan
David C. McConnell
December 2, 2024
I have been apart of the Hagens team for about ten or so years. Mr.Kirschner was always joking around with us, and I´ll always remember his `hello´ and `goodbye´.
He was such a character, but an honest and true one. I´ll miss his smile, and laugh.
God bless him, and his family.
Best,
David C. McConnell
Abby Kail
November 29, 2024
When I was in grad school, Howard and Paulette invited me to stay in their home for three summers. Howard adored his daughters and shared his adorable sense of humor with special words and sayings between them. He had such a joy of his family and shared things that were special to those he loved. When I wanted to go to a Bulls game, all I had to do was go to Gate 3 1/2 and tell them I was with Benny! We spent so much time together raising our kids and even sharing them! Thanksgivings in Valpo and at Joey's, Rosh Hashana Services followed by pie at Baker's Square, and dinners at Sam and Hys! One of the best times the four of us had together when we spontaneously hopped on the EL after a Cubs Game and made it a double header by going to (at that time) US Cellular and continuing our day of baseball. Being a kid at heart myself, I loved his silliness, his riddles- he was shocked when I knew the answer to his riddle, "What are two streets in Chicago that are the name of a famous Yankee baseball player?" Who else but Elston Howard! Shelly and I loved you so much. Please give my mom a big hug. You shared a mutual love. Also, you can decide if you want to hang out with Randy and Jerry! I miss you already. Love, Abby
Abby Kail
November 29, 2024
Not my first memory but an early memory...I was 15 years old and Howard danced with me at his wedding!
carolyn and lou schwartz
November 29, 2024
Thank you Howard for all the memories! Our first friends in Chicago.So many years and so many smiles!!!!!!!We were friends who became family.
So grateful for that inner child who brought such joy to anyone who knew him. You will aLWAYS BE WITH US!
Rhonda
November 29, 2024
Howard, I hope you´re giving a big fat wet willy to Arnie just about now. Rest in peace.
Fred Weinstein
November 28, 2024
Dear " brother "/ friend; Howard ; RIP --We love you --Fred/ Carol
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8851 Skokie Boulevard, Skokie, IL 60077-2224
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