Jesse I Remez

Jesse I. Remez passed away in the early morning of Sept. 17 at 96 in the house in northern New Jersey, that he, his wife Barbara and their three young children moved into 60 years ago.

He and Barbara, who died in early 2021, were a remarkable and loving duo who adored their children and grandchildren and who had an incredibly tight network of friends. Their home was always filled with laughter, love and great food.

The son of Abraham and Claire Remez, Jesse grew up in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn, along with his older brother Stanley, who died in 2013. Jesse told many crazy tales of their upbringing and the host of characters, many immigrants or first-generation Americans, who filled their lives.

After graduating from Lafayette High School, Jesse served in the U.S. Army just after World War II. During his stint, he also served as associate editor of the Shaw Field News in Sumter, SC, and produced a radio program called "Bergstrom Time" at Bergstrom Field in Austin.

Following his service, he enrolled at New York University under the GI Bill, taking enough classes to graduate early in 1950. He would later joke to his grandchildren that he had raced so quickly through college that he did not learn all that much. The truth is he was a learned man who devoured books, carefully considered his investments, and read the New York Times cover-to-cover daily until shortly before his death.

His plans to continue his studies in a graduate program after college at the New School for Social Research were derailed by the need to support his aging and ailing parents. At that point, he started working as a textile salesman in New York City's garment district.

Jesse soon met Barbara, another child of Brooklyn, and the two married in December 1956. They started a family on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, welcoming Michael, then Lisa and then Madeleine, before moving in 1964 to the big old house they both loved so much.

Initially, Jesse's work focused on textiles produced in the United States, but that industry was headed for great change with the rise of global markets. The company where he had served as general manager when his children were young was sold and he went to work with two long-time associates as a textile broker. His work took him to places such as Estonia, India and Mexico.

Jesse and Barbara loved to travel but they particularly loved Mexico. Early on, they visited Zihuatanejo, then a sleepy beach town on the Pacific Coast. They returned there often over the years.

Jesse was a doting father, unusually involved for a man of his generation. He also supported Barbara's plans to finish college and earn her masters in social work so she could embark on a new career once the children were in school all day.

Impacted by his own experiences, he encouraged his children and grandchildren to pursue careers they loved and that would remain fulfilling. He got so much pleasure from his four grandchildren, watching their performances, reading their work and listening to their latest accomplishments. They adored him.

In the past decade, Jesse had focused on caring for Barbara, who had developed Alzheimers. He wanted to keep her in that house, which in her final years he could only do with full-time help. Their love story continued until her death. Moments before, they had expressed their love for one another.

His health took a turn for the worse later that year, but he too wanted to stay in the house. The tremendous team that had been caring for Barbara then shifted their attention to him.

Family gathered at the house in the days before his death and he was surrounded by their love. He is survived by Michael Remez (Anita Seline), Lisa Remez-McCormick (Devon McCormick) and Madeleine Remez (Stephanie Handel), and four grandchildren, Maia McCormick, Marisa Remez, Nathaniel Remez and Elena Remez.