SHELDON ZALAZNICK

ZALAZNICK--Sheldon, 83, passed away peacefully on July 19th with his loving wife of 59 years, Vera, and adored daughter Andrea at his bedside. Survived by son-in-law Joseph Burdick, cherished grandchildren Stephen and SaraJessica, elder sister Annette Weinreb, sister-in-law Gloria Zalaznick, and sister and brother-in-law Eleanor and Lawrence Newman. After earning his Bachelor of Arts from NYU's University College and Master of Arts from Teachers' College, Columbia University, Shelley taught for a year: just long enough to meet his wife. With a career spanning from Sports Editor at Newsweek Magazine, Associate Editor at Fortune Magazine, writer and Managing Editor at Forbes Magazine, Sunday Editor at the New York Herald Tribune and founding Editor of the Sunday New York Magazine section, to Vice President and Editorial Director of New York Magazine, Shelley left an indelible mark upon the profession of journalism. His dedication to integrity and high caliber work was clear throughout his career. After his retirement, Shelley was sent to Budapest by the International Executive Service Corps to help start a financial magazine, where he delighted and impressed his Hungarian audience at a special dinner by addressing them in their own language, which he learned just for that event. Shelley loved music and in his free time enjoyed playing piano, tennis, poker, skiing, horseback riding, golfing, as well as introducing his grandchildren to deliciously unhealthy breakfasts. Shelley was an intellectual's intellectual, renowned for his dry sense of humor, razor-sharp wit, and ability to weave a story. This modest and gentle man was loved and respected by all. A memorial celebration will be announced shortly.