Irwin I. Kornblau

Irwin I. Kornblau, 83, passed away on August 4, 2023. Known as "Irv" to his friends and "Poppy" to his grandchildren, he was a warm, intelligent, creative, kind, and compassionate man, with a great sense of humor. He was adored by his family and friends. He was an exceptionally loving and proud father to his two children.

Irv is survived by his son, Mark Kornblau, and his grandchildren, Liza Katz, Ryan Katz, Lexie Kornblau, Maya Kornblau, and Benjamin Kornblau. He is also survived by his daughter-in-law, Marissa Kornblau, and his son-in-law, Ian Katz. Irv was preceded in death by his daughter, Erica Katz, and his sister, Leona Tanker.

He was a cherished uncle to his sister's children - Mark, Scott, Richard, and Joanne Tanker.

The son of Jewish immigrants from Poland, Irv grew up in Atlantic City, New Jersey, when it was still a "boardwalk town." As a boy, he spent countless hours working and hanging out at Kornblau's Restaurant and Delicatessen, the family business owned and operated by his father and uncle.

Irv graduated from Atlantic City High School, American University, and later, from Fordham University School of Law, where he attended night-classes while working during the day.

Though he found the study of law fascinating, he chose not to practice, and instead continued his career, already underway, in the magazine publishing industry in New York City. A talented writer and accomplished marketing leader, he held executive roles at LIFE Magazine, Newsweek, USA Today, US Magazine, and Playboy Magazine (twice, in the 1960's and 1990's).

Irv became a true New Yorker, living there most of his adult life until he retired and moved to Florida. He was an avid reader, especially fond of books and movies about the World War II era in which he grew up. He was a news buff and a proud liberal. He loved sports, especially baseball. Originally a fan of the Brooklyn Dodgers because of Jackie Robinson, he later became a devoted New York Mets fan from the very first day of the new franchise in 1962. He rooted for the underdog in sports and in life.

He will be deeply missed by his family, and all who knew and loved him. May his memory be a blessing.

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In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made in memory of Irv to support the brain tumor research team who recently cared for his daughter, Erica, at Weill Cornell Medicine. Donations can be made by check to Weill Cornell Medicine with memo: Dr. Fine Brain Tumor Research IMO Erica Katz & Irv Kornblau, and mailed to Tom Nichols, Weill Cornell External Affairs, 1300 York Avenue, Box 314, NY, NY 10065, or directly through Tom Nichols, 646-962-9524; thn2004@med.cornell.edu.