Eugene Weiss

Weiss, Eugene NISKAYUNA Eugene Weiss died at home on January 30, 2014, after a lengthy illness. He was born in Czechoslovakia to Mayer and Gisela Weiss, who named him Jeno. At 13, his life was destroyed by Nazi invaders in his city and his parents and five younger siblings were murdered. Miraculously, he and his two older brothers survived the abominations and brutality of concentration camps and were freed in the maelstrom of post World War II. Jeno, who chose to use Eugene for business purposes, worked with a Jewish organization in Europe for five years, then came to the States to join his brothers who had preceded him here. He and his oldest brother were in commercial real estate, but that career was interrupted by becoming a U.S. citizen and serving two years in the Army. Gene was proud of his stint in service, was a master supply sergeant and a medalist sharpshooter. After discharge, he continued working in the New York City area until meeting his wife-to-be, Roslyn, who came from Schenectady. Marrying here, but living in New York until after their first two children, they moved permanently upstate and their third child was born at Ellis Hospital. Gene became involved in area real estate, from Glens Falls to Northern New York, and in Massachusetts as well. He lived, ate and breathed his business, loving Latham in which he had his mall office. Never forgetting that he had arrived in this welcoming country with a small suit case and little English, he was generous with causes that resonated with him. He endowed a chair at Yeshiva University, was an early supporter of Boys' Town of Jerusalem, a donor to Ellis. He and Ros built a Pavilion wing at Laniado Hospital in Israel, built the Weiss Academic Center for the high school of their youngest son. Gene, with painful heart, brought that senior class to Auschwitz for their class trip; they learned first hand of the misery wrought by hatred. The loss of his family was never far from his mind, but he delighted in his children and grandchildren. Games and play were difficult with his background (having to earn a living with no extended family at 15), but he later found enjoyment in bridge, always pleased to add another small trophy to his collection. Football, baseball and golf were his favorite TV programs. Over the years, trips abroad with his family and cruises with his wife gave pleasure, too. Gene enjoyed being part of the minyanaire group at Sabbath services in Congregation Beth Israel, and he was a member of the Jewish War Veterans. Gene leaves his beloved wife of 53 plus years, Roslyn; his cherished children, Alex, of No. Palm Beach, Fla., Gail (Ernst Kuschel) and Marc (Carrie) who are local. His dear grandchildren, Samantha and Veronica; Rebekah, Sarah, Eliana and Samuel; Chloe, Zachary and Sadie. Also Morris (Edith) Weiss, his older brother in Israel; sister-in-law, Agnes Weiss-Goldman, and numerous nephews and their families. Services at the Levine Memorial Chapel, 649 Washington Avenue, Albany on Sunday, February 2, 2014 at 2:30 p.m. Interment will follow in the Beth Israel Cemetery, Abbottsford Road in Rotterdam. The period of mourning will be observed at the Weiss residence in Niskayuna on Sunday evening from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. and on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 1 to 4 p.m. commencing again from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to the Holocaust Memorial Museum, 100 Raoul, Wallenberg Place SW Washington, DC, 20024. Ros is grateful to the following who have helped the family during this journey: the compassionate staff at NY Oncology and Hematology (Rexford), Dr. Goldstein and Dr. Hausler for medical skill and humanity, Rabbi Moshe Bomzer for strength and warmth, Rabbi Paul Silton for enduring friendship, Rabbi Moshe Mirsky of Congregation Beth Israel, and our friends who with visits, emails, shared meals, have provided comfort, love and support unending. And to Lisha Coutrier for the home care given all the way. For directions or to sign the online guestbook, please visit, levinememorialchapel.com