Ilya Zeitlin

Ilya Zeitlin, aged 77, of Delray Beach, Florida, passed away on March 20, 2024. He was born on October 31, 1946, in Leningrad, Russia.

Ilya had an incredible life's journey. The only child of two Holocaust survivors, he overcame persecution as a Jewish man in the USSR and studied to become a nuclear physicist who designed nuclear reactors at the height of the Cold War. Then, in order to give his children a better life, he left everything he knew behind with his wife and two young children to immigrate to the United States in 1981, when such a thing was virtually unheard of. Ilya started from the bottom and learned an entirely new language, culture, and career to provide for his family and give them a wonderful life. We, his children and grandchildren, are forever indebted to him and the legacy he created that will reverberate for generations.

Ilya is survived by his wife of 54 years, Bronya, and three children, Anna, Michael (Leia), and Abigail. Ilya was also a loving grandfather to Matthew, Jonathan, Jonah, Riva, and Noah. He was preceded in death by his mother, Riva, and father, Joseph.

A memorial service in honor of Ilya's life will be held at Sinai Memorial Chapel in Delray Beach, Florida, on Sunday, March 24, 2024, at 10 AM ET. A Zoom link will be available as well. All are welcome to attend and celebrate his life. Following the service, Shiva will take place at the Zeitlin family home at 15796 Vivanco Street in Delray Beach on Sunday and Monday. Anna will be sitting shiva at her home in New Jersey. Shiva for the rest of the family will continue at Michael's home in Baltimore for the rest of the seven-day period. Shiva call to receive visitors will occur from 2-6 PM on Sunday and Monday in Delray and 5-8 PM in Baltimore for Tuesday-Sunday.

In lieu of flowers, please leave a favorite memory or story you have with Ilya. He loved a good story and his kindness touched people even in the smallest of moments.

May his memory be a blessing to all who knew him.