William Jay Greenblatt

William Jay Greenblatt, 95, passed away peacefully on August 13, 2025, in Delray Beach, Florida. A devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, William lived a full and vibrant life marked by deep family ties, professional achievement, and generous community involvement. Born on January 26, 1930, William was the son of Lillian Feldhandler Greenblatt and George Greenblatt. He grew up with a strong sense of family that remained central throughout his life. He graduated summa cum laude from Brooklyn Polytechnic Institute, an early indication of the dedication and intellect that would define his career. William began his professional journey at Paramount Plumbing, Inc., in Manhattan-a company specializing in plumbing, heating, and air conditioning for high-rise residences and office buildings in New York City. Over the years, he rose to become president of the company, a position he held for many years until his retirement. His leadership left a lasting mark on the business and those who worked alongside him. Beyond his professional accomplishments, William was widely recognized for his philanthropic spirit. He was honored multiple times for his generous contributions to the United Jewish Appeal (UJA) and numerous other nonprofit organizations. His commitment to giving back reflected a deep sense of responsibility to both his heritage and broader community. William met his beloved wife, Eleanor Tesser Greenblatt, when they were both teenagers. They shared a long and loving marriage of more than 74 years. Together they raised three children-Nancy Goldberg, Jonathan Greenblatt (Lisa Bergtraum), and Lauren Klein (Ron Malenbaum)-who brought them immense pride and joy. His legacy continues through his four grandchildren: Jordan Goldberg (Eric Kim), Dagny Goldberg Baker (Josh Baker), Nathalie Klein Phillips (Ryan Phillips), and Ross Klein; as well as seven great-grandchildren: Wyatt Goldberg Kim, Miles Baker, Noa Baker, Tabetha Goldberg Kim, Colby Phillips, Halle Baker, and Asher Phillips. In addition to his children and their partners, he is also survived by his brother David Greenblatt; sister-in-law and brother-in-law Jackie Diamond and Mitchell Diamond, and his sister-in-law Honey Pearlman and her partner Ron Schneider; along with many nieces and nephews whose lives he touched deeply. His extended family grew over the years into a large network that remained close-knit-a source of great happiness for him throughout his life. Though not religiously observant in a traditional sense, William identified strongly with his Jewish heritage. He attended synagogue services for bar mitzvahs and weddings-joyous occasions where he was often surrounded by generations of family members. In their younger years, William and Eleanor enjoyed traveling together, to Europe, the Far East, and the Caribbean islands. At home or abroad, William's outgoing nature made him many friends. He loved entertaining guests at home or dining out with friends and family. A sports enthusiast, he was a Varsity swimmer in college, participated in bowling and tennis, and especially loved golf-both playing it himself and watching tournaments on television. William was known for his sharp wit and love of humor-even if he sometimes forgot the punchline. He had a discerning palate and took great pleasure in good food. A dedicated follower of current events both domestic and international, he stayed well-informed throughout his life and never hesitated to share thoughtful opinions on world affairs. Private funeral arrangements have been made to honor William's memory. May his memory bring comfort to all who knew him.