Steve Sherry

Born in Vienna, Austria, on May 18, 1938, Stefan Georg Serebrenik arrived in New York City aboard the RMS Aquitania in January 1939 and became known as Steven George Sherry. Steve passed away at home in Kansas City, MO, on Aug. 11, 2025, at the age of 87.

Son of the late Otto and Lilly Sherry, Steve graduated from Southwest High School in 1956 and went on to earn a journalism degree from the University of Missouri - Columbia.

Steve's high school and college days were some of the happiest times of his life.

He enjoyed himself so much with his Alpha Epsilon Pi fraternity brothers that he needed to take summer classes after his junior year to stay on track to graduate. Never before has sloughing off paid greater dividends: It was during summer school that Steve courted Judy Lyons of Chicago. They married in September 1960.

Steve spent the early part of his career in marketing and advertising. One of his early positions was serving as editor of the Plaza Magazine, which covered happenings at the Country Club Plaza.

Steve ultimately became part of Kansas City's thriving garment industry, joining his father in business. O & S Sherry sold fabric, buttons, and other notions to some of the most successful manufacturers in the city. Judy accompanied Steve on many enjoyable market trips to New York City.

Steve's experience with the Nazis was a seminal moment in his life.

It was only because he had blonde hair and blue eyes as an infant that his nanny was able to convince police officers that he was not Jewish when they stopped her on a street in Vienna.

And during the anti-Jewish pogrom of Kristallnacht in November 1938, rioters destroyed the shop, Bruder Felberbaum, owned by his maternal grandfather. That same day, authorities arrested and temporarily imprisoned Steve's uncle in Dachau.

Steve and his parents sailed to the U.S. thanks to the generosity of American sponsors who had encountered Steve's grandfather years earlier in his store.

The couple stopped in because they shared the same last name as Mr. Felberbaum, and it was through the business card they left at the store that Otto Serebrenik was able to reach them and secure their assistance.

As a Holocaust survivor, Steve had a strong connection to Judaism.

He celebrated his Bar Mitzvah and was confirmed as a lifelong member of Congregation Beth Shalom.

This dedication to his faith, along with his commitment to assist new Americans who followed in his footsteps, combined in his work helping resettle refugees from the former Soviet Union in Kansas City.

His resettlement efforts earned him the Volunteer of the Year award from Jewish Family & Children Services (now Jewish Family Services) in 1992 and the President's Award from the Jewish Federation of Greater Kansas City in 1993.

Ukrainians Vladimir and Alla Drut were one of the couples he assisted. Steve and Judy welcomed the Druts, along with their daughter, Inna, to Kansas City on April 1, 1991.

The Druts became part of the Sherry family and shared many years celebrating holidays, birthdays, and other simchas. Steve and Judy remained close to Vladimir and Alla even after they moved to Chicago to be closer to Inna and her family.

Steve's volunteerism extended to Beth Shalom, which honored him in 1998 with its Kovod Award for outstanding service. His volunteer contributions to the synagogue included writing press releases and taking pictures.

Steve also donated his time outside of the Jewish community.

In one of his roles, he tutored students at Red Bridge Elementary School in the Center School District (the same school his children attended). He and the teacher he assisted stayed in touch for many years.

Steve and Judy also travelled abroad extensively, including a return to see his early home in Vienna.

Travel allowed them to spend time with their longtime friends Irwin and Cookie Shaw and college friend Bruce Copilevitz, and his wife, Kay. Steve also indulged his passion for photography on those many trips, with several of his framed photos hanging in his home office.

Steve leaves behind his devoted wife of almost 65 years, Judy, his daughter Jannie and son-in-law Patrick Cubbage, and son Mike Sherry and daughter-in-law Beth. Also mourning his passing are brother-in-law Phil Lyons and his wife, Carol.

Steve's grandchildren - Carly and David Henderson, Clay Cubbage, Leah and Gabe Sherry - will also remember him lovingly.

The family would especially like to thank Steve's caregivers - Sylvia, Lorna, Dee, and Joseph, who each cared for him with kindness and compassion. The family would also like to thank hospice staff members, LuAnn and Chelsea, for their warmth and understanding.

A funeral service will be held at 12 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025, at Louis Memorial Chapel, 6900 Troost Ave. Kindly omit flowers. Burial followed at Mt. Carmel Cemetery.

Shiva will be held at 7 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday. Contact the funeral home for the address.

The family suggests contributions to:

Jewish Family Services, 5801 W. 115th St. #103, Overland Park, KS 66211

Midwest Center for Holocaust Education, 5801 W. 115th St. #106, Overland Park, KS 66211

Congregation Beth Shalom, 14200 Lamar Ave., Overland Park, KS 66223

or a charity of your choosing.