LEON WEITZ

Leon Weitz Leon lived in Mill Valley since 1965, died at age 95 at the Rafael Nursing Home in San Rafael. Leon was born in Vienna, Austria and fled the Nazis in 1938. He joined the U.S. Army shortly after the beginning of World War II and fought in North Africa, Italy, France and Germany, rising to the rank of Master Sergeant and earning the Bronze Star for courage in action. Following the war, he went into the optical supply business ultimately forming his own successful company. His humor, honesty, warmth and generous nature made him an outstanding salesman and businessman. Many of his customers became life-long friends. He loved good food, drink, and entertainment. He was an interpreter at the 1960 Olympics in Squaw Valley. In 1963 while skiing at Sugar Bowl, he met Barbara Boerike, a Mill Valley native. They married in 1965 and moved to a rustic cottage on the slopes of Mt. Tam in Mill Valley where they lived happily for 47 years. Barbara predeceased Leon by eight months. He was dedicated to Veteran's causes and to the State of Israel, having made 17 working trips there in a "Volunteers for Israel" program. He was an active student in College of Marin during his retirement years. Although Barbara and Leon had no children, "Uncle Leon" became the godfather to many of the children of his close friends. Leon was an outstanding, unique and caring person. He leaves a void in the hearts of all who knew him. Funeral arrangements are pending with the Mt. Tamalpais Funeral Home, San Rafael.