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Shephard Zitler Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for Shephard Zitler
Sonia Beker
November 26, 2024
Shep and my parents, Fania and Max Beker, were born in Vilna, Lithuania. Both my dad and Shep were Jewish POWs, captured by the Nazis while fighting in the Polish army, and met in Stalag VIIIA, Silesia. They remained friends after they were liberated, and met regularly at survivor gatherings organized by Shep. He tirelessly and faithfully kept in touch with his survivor friends across the country snd organized get-togethers with them on a regular basis. Shep was full of a great zest for life, was a great storyteller and a wry observer of life and people. He was wise, and offered good advice when appropriate, a sign of true wisdom. He became my champion, guardian and friend when I visited New Orleans, just as he´d been to my dad. I honor and miss him. May his memory be for a blessing.
Sonia Beker
November 26, 2023
So full of life and love, so enjoyed people, gatherings, food, your beautiful home and the amazing life you made with Anne. You knew my father, a fellow Vilnaite, and you shared the same POW status with him in Stalag VIIIA. Your generosity and kindness to me was boundless. I miss you and think of you always. BDE and much love.
Sonia Beker
December 11, 2022
Dearest Shep -- for me you will always be alive and full of great humor and stories! You live in my heart always, next to my parents and all the Vilners in your network. Your love of life, of your family and your amazing memories are an inspiration for all of us! BDE -- may your neshama have an aliyah, and may you be a good guide and protector to all of us in this world! Love you always!
Richard Schmidt
December 28, 2010
To the family and friends of Shep Zitler,
This is a great loss to all of us who had the pleasure of knowing him and his love for all people.
From a Good Friend,
Richard Schmidt, Jr.
April 29, 2010
Dear Anne, I always enjoyed taking care of you and Shep while I was working with Dr. Yager. I am sorry that I never got a chance to say a proper goodbye to you two when I left Louisiana. I have a great job now taking care of U.S. soldiers and their families here in Korea. It's also a great chance to re-explore this part of the world. I was here on active duty back in the late 80's. Best wishes for the future. Joe Stremikis ([email protected])
Susan Rosenwasser
December 8, 2009
Dearest Anne, Justin and family,
It is with a heavy heart that I offer my deepest condolences upon the passing of my uncle Shep. My uncle Shep was a man like no other! I so admired him for his capacity to love, to learn, to teach, to laugh and to cry. His willingness to forgive and his burning desire to not let us forget will be forever etched in my memory. It is so difficult to believe that my "favorite uncle" is now gone. Shepti always joked that I was his "favorite niece". Well... we all know he had a magical way of making everyone feel as if they were the favorite.
With Love,
- Susan Rosenwasser
Diane Lewis
December 8, 2009
Dear Anne and family,
I have worked in your home for five years and have grown close to both of you. Mr. Shep was always available to me for a laugh or a cry! He will always be in my heart.
Like I shared with Mr. Shep "I will always be here for "Miss Anne"
Love,
Diane
Bob Kress
December 5, 2009
Dear Anne,dear Justin. It is with great shock that I just found out about Shep's sudden passing. Only last sunday I talked to him in our beloved yiddish language and I was looking forward to getting together tomorrow. He was like a father to me and I will forever miss him. Shep was a true mentsch! With love ,ROBERT KRESS P.O. BOX 1933 ALEXANDRIA,LA.71303
Renate Boraks Greenfield
December 4, 2009
Anne,
I would like to offer you our deepeest condolences upon the death of Shep. I met Shep through the New American Social Club when I was only 13 years old. What a long time ago that was indeed. He was a great friend of my father, Siggy Boraks.
I did not hear Shep's story, however, until just within the last 20 years. What a hero he was to have hid in the forests during the Holocaust to fight the Nazis! Only the highest echelon of the Jewish people did fight for their lives and they will be as Shep will be remembered as such heros. He is in a better, more peaceful place now...
Sonia Beker
December 4, 2009
Dearest Ann, Justin and family,
Shep was my beacon -- I loved and admired him tremendously. Always full of energy, a tireless champion of those he loved and those he lost in the Holocaust, a true man of great heart and spirit. He was larger than life itself, and for those who loved him, it's impossible to believe he's gone. I will see him and hear him everywhere I go.
Sonia Beker.
tamar even tov roth
December 4, 2009
dear anne and justin
iwant to share my deep sorrow with you in losing my beloved uncle shep
i will always remember him as a very loving and generous person with a big heart
he is the model for me of a very positive outlook on life
his humanity and love of people
as you know my mother and shep were brother and sister and he was my only beloved uncle left and now he is gone too
hope we can meet some day and share our memories on shep
love yu all
tamar
Janel
December 3, 2009
Mrs.Zitler I am so sorry for your lost, we will miss Mr.Zitler visiting us at The Steak Knife. Our deepest thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Fred Weinstein
December 3, 2009
Dear Anne and Justin
I am so sorry to learn of Uncle Sasha's passing. Many of my fondest childhood memories are of time spent with him in the country. I especially remember the time he allowed me to be a salesman in his store and the many times we went swimming and picnicking in Abita Springs. We were very proud of the work that he did to teach the Holocaust.
My wife,Lois,and my children, Rebecca and Bobby join me in expressing our deepest condolences.
May you be comforted among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.
Love,
Fred Weinstein
Linda Galler
December 3, 2009
People like Shep Zitler remind us all of the strength and resiliency of human beings. Despite the losses and obstacles Shep faced in his younger days, he lived a long and productive life and gave generously of himself to others. My thoughts and prayers this morning are with those who mourn his loss and celebrate his life.
Rhonda Shear-Fagan
December 2, 2009
Dear Aunt Anne.
I am so saddened by your loss. Shep always had sweet things to say about my mom. We send our love and our condolences to you and Justin. Everyone has written such beautiful things about him in this guest book. I know you were very proud of him. Much love, Rhonda and Van Fagan (St. Petersburg, Florida)
Richard Schmidt
December 2, 2009
Dear Justin,
Your dad was a great human being and I sincerely offer my condolence to you and your family. I first met him in the late 1970s and we crossed paths often since then -I considered him to be my good friend.
Richard C. Schmidt, Jr.
Brigitte Boraks-Becker
December 2, 2009
Dear Anne and Justin, my most sincere and deepest sympathies to you and your family. Shep was a wonderful man and such a dear friend and confidante for my father, Siggy. Shep was certainly a man to be admired and he will be remembered by many, many people, especially those that have heard "his" story of survival and courage.
elizabeth beth ferguson
December 2, 2009
anne iam goind to miss shep so much, he was an awesome man, an everytime you an him came to martines for your iced coffee i was so thrilled to see you an iam going to miss hime with all my heart, an i love both of you so much, an just hold your head anne an pray to god he will help you through this tough time, love beth from martin wine celler.
Henry (Beau) Boraks
December 2, 2009
Dear Anne, My sincere and deepest condolences on your loss. Shep was a close friend of my father and our family and he will be sorely missed by everyone in the Jewish community.
Jon Weinstein
December 2, 2009
Anne:
Our deepest condolences on your loss. I have fond memories of Uncle Sasha as we took the time over the past few years to spend time together and to get reaquainted.
We shall miss him.
Fondly,
Jon Weinstein
Maureen Kurtz
December 2, 2009
Dear Anne and Justin,
Our deepest condolences to you and your family. Shep was a wonderful friend to my parents, and we were lucky to have known him.
He will be missed.
John Menszer
December 2, 2009
Shep was my friend and the biggest supporter of my Holocaust survivors project. He gave generously of his time and encouragement. He loved to speak to students about the Holocaust and they responded to him with love and enthusiasm. He loved his family. His dear wife Anne was nearly always with him. He was an active member of our community and is greatly missed.
December 2, 2009
Dear Anne:
So sorry to read about Shep in the Obit
column. He was a very special and dedicated man. He will be sadly missed. My thoughts are with you.
Nat Forman, Largo, Fl.
Pete and Judy Boraks
December 2, 2009
Anne and Justin,
We are sorry to hear about Shep. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
Staff of Tharp-Sontheimer-Tharp Funeral Home
December 2, 2009
Offering our deepest condolences during this difficult time.
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