Herbert Siperstein

SIPERSTEIN - Herbert (Herb), President and a partner in the century-old chain of Siperstein's Paint & Home Decorating Centers located throughout New Jersey, Connecticut and Massachusetts, has died. Mr. Siperstein died of brain cancer and Parkinson's Disease on Sunday Dec 31, 2006 surrounded by his family. The son of Nathan and Lottie Siperstein, founders of the original Siperstein store in downtown Jersey City, Herb Siperstein was born and raised in Jersey City, New Jersey. After graduating from Ferris High School in his home town, and returning from active duty in World War II, Herb entered into the family business - a paint store at 369 Montgomery Street in Jersey City. Mr. Siperstein and his three older brothers, Harry, Oscar and Morris, along with partner Larry Katz, developed the family business into the largest family owned retail paint stores in the Northeast. During World War II, Mr. Siperstein served in the 7th Infantry, 3rd Division and fought in six campaigns in France, Italy, Germany and Central Europe. His military accolades include the Bronze Star, Good Conduct Medal, two Bronze Arrowheads, six Campaign Stars, Presidential Unit Emblem, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, Combat infantryman Badge, Expert Infantryman Badge, Honorable Service Lapel Button WWII, La Fourragere from France and the New Jersey Distinguished Service Medal. After the war, Mr. Siperstein studied Business Management at Rutgers University at night. As President of N.Siperstein Inc., he was committed to an active, hands-on management approach. Mr. Siperstein spent time in most of the company's 19 stores. He could often be found working behind the counter and enjoying a conversation with customers in the Siperstein's Jersey City store. For Mr. Siperstein's continuous support of local churches, temples and schools, he received numerous awards of thanks from various organizations, among which his favorite was St. Bridget's Church School in Jersey City. The long list of donations made by the Siperstein Family includes: an auditorium to B'nai Jacob Congregation and a library to St. Peter's Preparatory School, both in Jersey City. In honor of the family's generosity, St. Bridget's Church Early Childhood Annex named one of its rooms after Mr. Siperstein's parents. In 1999, the Mayor of Jersey City, Bret Schundler, declared October 12th, Herb Siperstein's Day in recognition of his contributions to the local community. Mr. Siperstein was also honored with the Anti-Defamation League's David H. Litter Humanitarian Award. Additionally, The Department of New Jersey, Jewish War Veterans of the United States honored Mr. Siperstein with the Humanitarian Award for his continued support to the local communities for more than five decades. According to Morton Millinger, a long-time friend and fellow member of the organization, in addition to his charitable contributions, Mr. Siperstein was selected as much for his professional and personal integrity. Mr. Siperstein was proud to receive the award and said at the time,
"Giving back to the community is one of the long-standing traditions transferred from generation to generation in the Siperstein family. It gives me an overwhelming feeling of pride as a person and as an American Jewish war veteran.
" Executive Director of the Jewish War Veterans New Jersey Department, Dan Weiss, said,
"Herb Siperstein was a special individual. He not only served his country during World War II, but, he did a lot for Jersey City and many other communities in the state as well.
" Mr. Siperstein was a member of the New Jersey Department of Jewish War Veterans, the Jersey City Rotary Club, Hudson Chamber of Commerce, and the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. He served on the Board of Directors at B'nai Jacob in Jersey City, of