Samuel Barson

I,too,remember Sam as the one who taught me about hard work. I was the Friday night busboy through my high school years 65-67). Sam could sweat like Moses Malone, and , like another Moses of long ago, was a true leader and inspiration to many.I remember Sam teaching me balance, breath, and concentration as I would carry 6 huge tubs of ice cream up the stairs at Barson's.To this day, I still remember how well he treated All of his workers. And I still miss those Shissles and Kitchen Sinks. Sincerely, Steve Allekotte( Sam gave me the nickname Charlie the Tuna, because I always made myself a HUGE tuna hoagie as my free meal during my shifts.) My prayers are with the family at this time.

I am so sorry for the loss of your father. My thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family.

I had the pleasure of being Louis' counselor back in the late 70s up at Camp Akiba & remember very fondly the visits from his dad along with those Corned Beef Specials he would bring from the deli - They were sloppy to hold, messy to eat, and just about the greatest thing I ever ate! Louis, so sorry to hear about your dad's passing... Only met him a time or two, but I could tell he was an exceptional man whose family was the most important thing in his life... All good thoughts to you & the rest of your family during this tough time...

I also grew up always going to Barsons with friends and family from the late 50's til my entire family left the Philly area nine years ago.
I have only the greatest memories of the deli (small & large ones)and was saddened by the news of Sams passing.
My deepest sympathies to the family from my family

March 31,2009
to the Barson Family our deepest symphony to a man that was an Overbrook Park Icon.you have given so many wonderful memories and great times to so many of of us O.P (ers) i worked in Township travel in the 70/80 and i would see Sam everyday.he was always caring and thoughtful. A wonderful man Barsons and the Delly were know all over. god bless you Sam & Family..the Waterman family

I remember Sam when I was a little boy growing up in Overbrook Park and spent so much of my childhood at Barson's. He was a great man who was loved by all the kids in the neighborhood. When I married a local Overbrook Park girl, Leslie Kipnis, we continued to eat at Sam's establishments with our children until we moved to Florida in the early eighties. Sam will be remembered for his kindness and his generosity. I can remember how kind he was to me and my family when my own father Dave passed away in 1972. Rest in peace Sam. I'll always remember you

To all of the Barson Family:
I can only add to the beautiful and heartfelt memories that have been written. My Dad, Sol Berman, and Sam were always kibitzing and I so remember the waffles and ice cream (after a weight watchers meeting). All of us (formerly) from Overbrook Park have pleasant and sweet memories.

Cousin Sam's smile always lit up the room. Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort. Stuart, Amy & Jonathan Perrone

Dear Freddi, Ray, Stephen,Lisa, Leon and Louis and your beautiful families...Our hearts ar truly filled with only the fondest memories of "Uncle" Sam. He is a Philadelphia icon and will always be remembered as such. We will miss him dearly...our thoughts and prayers are with all of the Barson families at this difficult time.

I was twelve years old when I started working for Sam at the luncheonette on Haverford Ave. That was in 1965. I worked for him for about 4-5 years, until Bobby took over the store. In that time, I learned to appreciate the caliber of the man. He was the hardest working person I ever met, even to this day. Yet, he was kind, considerate and understanding. He would always call my house every Saturday morning and ask me to work because either Jake Devine or Ike Logan didn't make it in to work. There were times when I got to work that Sam would be taking a little nap on "C" table or even in the basement, obviously still tired from working incredibly hard from the night before. I was always amazed at the effort this man put in.To this day, my own work ethic was shaped and formed from my days at Barsons. I now help my own son in a food business. I watch him every now and then and see that same ethic. So you see, Sam's efforts have passed from generation to generation. You all should be very proud.
My sincere condolences, for he was a very fine man.

My Father was my hero...thanks for remembering him....

Steve and Evie,
Our sympathies are with you at this very difficult time.
God Bless,
Dom and Maureen Rapino

Dear Mary Ann,
So very sorry to hear of your loss. My thoughts are with you.
Barbara Fishkin Goldblum

I can still picture Sam scooping out the Abbots icecream from those large containers at the Haverford Ave. store during the fifties and sixties. Barsons was the place to be on Friday after the movies. Sam was a good guy and he will be missed.
My condolences to his family.

When I visited The City Line Deli in the early 90's I had a great conversation with Sam. I told him that I was a volunteer on a Kibbutz in Israel during the Yom Kippur war. I got up before 5 am and some of my chores included shoveling chicken manor, pulling out carrot weeds, pruning olive trees, and working in (what had to have been a carcinogenic) plastic factory. I said to this day I still have never worked harder than I did as a busboy at Barson's in the early-mid 60's on Sat. night and a bit in the summer as well. He basically said, "you don't know how many Doctors, Lawyers, and top Professionals have told me that as well. The assumption clearly was the great working ethic that got instilled working at Barson's. I have so many fond memories at the Luncheonette on Haverford Ave; none better than the lines that would run half way down to Greenhill Rd. on Fri. nights for the folks waiting for their generously large scoop of Abbott's ice cream. Plain cone: 11 cents, 12 for a sugar, and 13 for sugar and jimmies. As a matter of fact I still have many of the popular items pricing memorized.
My sympathies to your family, Sam, and thank you for one of the all time great overbrook Park institutions.

An era is gone with the passing of Sam Barson. Our sincere condolences go out to Freddi & the family. We have many, many great memories of Sam & Barson's in Overbrook Park. Sam was a special person & it was a gift for us to have known him. We will always remember Sam & the many ways he touched our lives. Our thoughts are with you.
Eddie & Mindy Davis

Sorry to read of Sam's passing. I go back with the Barson Family from 60th & Cedar Ave. in West Philly to Overbrook Park. Sam was always a fun loving, Good Guy. My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of sorrow.

So sorry to learn of Sam's passing. I live in So. Florida now but all of my Lamberton, Beeber, and Overbrook classmates keep in touch. I will always have memories of warm summer nights,walking "up the hill" from Rhoads St. to have my (still) favorite treat, the fabulous ice cream creations that none of us will ever forget..the Battleship, Destroyer, Junior, and The Kitchen Sink. Ethel Coopersmith's son had a crush on me in 3rd grade, so whenever I'd come in and she would wait on me, she'd affectionately call me "the daughter-in-law" and we can all still "hear" her yelling "Drop one" in reference to the hot waffles with ice cream we all loved so much. My dad and I had breakfast in the deli every time I'd come to visit him, until he passed away in 1991. His name was Sam Wexler and he was the publications manager for Playbill magazine. I guess Sam was a part of everyone's lives and will live on in all of us "Overbrook-Parkers". Take care. Dianne Wexler Urgo

Dear Barson Family,
I am so sorry for your loss. It is also my loss and the loss of many customers who also loved Sam. I started working for Sam in 1985 and he was a funny, wonderful boss. I was honored to work for him.

My Sympathies and love,
Rachel Granoff

Maryanne - so sorry to hear of Sam's passing - our deepest sympthy to you and your family - Renee (Bancoff) and Arnie Katz

Dear Freddi and Family, We just found out about Sam's passing. Our thoughts go with you at this most difficult time. Alzheimer's is a very cruel disease that robs you of the person you once knew.

Our sincerest sympathies to the Barson family. We are thinking of you and our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Steve and Janet Brody

Stephen,
You are in our prayers.
The Maratea Family

Steve and family, my deepest condolences to your entire family. May all your past memories bring you comfort now and always.

My first encounter with Sam Barson was when I was about 7 or 8 years old - almost 50 years ago. It was at a friend's birthday party at Barson's on Haverford Avenue. He made a very profound statement that day that I'll never forget when he told all the kids - "Drink Coca-Cola and you'll live a long and healthy life".
I had the privilege of working for Sam at City Line Deli for about 5 years when I was in high school and college. I attribute a lot of my work ethic and success to Sam because he taught me how to work hard and how to do the job right. He was a tough boss but a great role model. I will miss him.

My deepest condolences to the entire Barson Family. Steve, our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Take comfort in knowing that now you have a special guardian angel to watch over you.

i was saddened this morning in noting that Sam had passed. While living in Philadelphia through the mid 1990's I used to talk to Sam about the days on 60th Street in West Philly where the original Barsons restaurant opened and run by his parents along with Sam and his brother. Don't ask me why, but I remember Sam dragging me outside the deli at the age of 13 to show me his new Oldsmobile 98 turquoise/white 1955 Starfire convertible.How happy and excited he was. That was just one of the fond memories of the younger years growing up. If you wanted waffles and ice cream, you went to see Sam. He was an icon in the deli business, and will be greatly missed.

Dear Freddi, Lisa, Leon, Lewis and families,

I am sorry to hear about your loss. Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with all of you.

Lynne Poggi Kittka