Arthur Sekoff Obituary

1922 - 2012
Arthur Sekoff, 89, of Coral Gables, Florida died March 30 surrounded by his family.

He was born May 24, 1922, in Brooklyn, New York, the son of Sam and Esther Sekoff. He graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School in 1939 and received a BA in Business Administration from St. John's University in 1946 and a Master's Degree in Business Administration from New York University in 1951. He married Leah Ulanoff in June 1949 on a day memorably captured in a New York Times headline: "3,000,000 Flee to Beaches As Dank Heat Enfolds City."

He served in the U.S. Army Signal Corps during World War II, operating as a technical sergeant in Italy and North Africa.

A devoted husband, and beloved father and grandfather, Arthur (or "The Big A," as he was affectionately known) was the longtime owner and proprietor of Book Horizons bookstore, which he founded along with Leah, in January 1953, and where he continued to work until the last days of his life.

First on Ponce de Leon Blvd, then, since 1958, on S. Dixie Highway, Book Horizons has served multiple generations of University of Miami students, with The Big A – funny, friendly, and feisty – unforgettably at the helm, decked out in his trademark walking shorts, sneakers, and polo shirt.

When not overseeing the bookstore or spending time with his family, Arthur enjoyed reading, watching movies (old and new) and sports, working on crossword puzzles, traveling, dining out (including a well-made martini), and, more than almost anything else, laughing – and making others laugh.

He is survived by his wife Leah; sons Jed, Roy, and Will, daughters-in-law Celeste, Tamara, and Laura; and grandchildren Hallie, Lucia, Naomi, Zack, Stella, Hannah, and Abby.

Funeral services will be private. A memorial service/celebration-of-a-life-well-
lived will be held in the near future.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be made to the University of Miami School of Law – HOPE, the University of Miami School of Law - Children & Youth Clinic, the Southern Poverty Law Center, the National Yiddish Book Center, or the charity of your choice.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by New York Times from Mar. 30 to Mar. 31, 2012.

Memories and Condolences
for Arthur Sekoff

6 Entries

Carolyn Horwich

April 4, 2012

It's been many years since I last saw any of the Sekoff children, but surely Mr. Sekoff's humor, wit, and engaging personality have been passed down to them. May his memory be a blessing to all.

Debra Davis

April 3, 2012

My love to Aunty Leah, Jed, Roy, Will and the rest of the family. Time and distance may have kept us apart but Uncle Arthur, you will always remain in my heart
Debra xx

Mandy Maxwell

April 1, 2012

Roy--I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts are with you during this difficult time. You are fortunate to have had so many wonderful years with your Father...Warm regards
Mandy Maxwell

M Roozen

April 1, 2012

“Big A”, you will be missed; but your memory will certainly linger forever in the hearts and souls of those who have met you over the years. Dare I say there are certainly thousands if not millions of us who have been touched by your humble nature, your quick wit, your humor, your insight, your pragmatism, your encouragement, your optimism, your sense of honor and of course your ever present smile. To have known you is to have felt your spirit; which lives on in all of us.

March 31, 2012

My deepest sympathies are extended to the Sekoff family. God is near those who are "crushed and lowly in spirit." May you seek God in prayer and know that he "draws close to those who draw close to him."
Isaiah 57:15, James 4:8
S. Williams

Sheila Lipman

March 31, 2012

Uncle Arthur – words can hardly express what you meant to everyone you touched during your lifetime. Every encounter with you was rewarded by a new laugh, a new tale from the Sekoff files masterfully spun, and the hope that the next encounter was never too far away. Multiply this by the thousands of lives touched by Uncle Arthur in his community and beyond, for decades after decades, and know that Arthur's presence was an enrichment to all who shared in his journey, shared in his table at the Palm or walked through his bookshop door.
We love you and will always remember you.
Love,
Sheila, Nicole, Glenn, Ethan and Elliot

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