Joseph B. HASCAL

HASCAL Joseph B. April 5, 1924 ~ May 1, 2010 Former Toledoan, Joseph B. Hascal, died unexpectedly but peacefully Saturday evening, May 1, 2010, at his home in Parkland, Florida. He was the son of Jacob and Faiga Hascal, the second youngest of 11 children, grew up on Moore Street in the north end of Toledo, Ohio. The family belonged to the former Congregation Sharei Zedek where he became a Bar Mitzvah in 1937. Joe graduated from Woodward High School in 1942. Joe never met a stranger and always had a funny story to share. People used to say he looked like Perry Como. Joe was a charter member of a neighborhood group, who called themselves the Raggedy Ass Cadets, children of immigrants who grew up in Toledo. He remained in close touch with the "boys" all of his adult life. Following graduation, he enlisted in the service and served in the 3rd Army under General Patton. He didn't like to talk about the war but one of his lasting memories was as a member of the unit that liberated and eventually helped to resettle the survivors of the Dachau concentration camp. After the war, Joe began his career in men's clothing at BR Baker's in Toledo. In 1955, he bought his first store, Adam Hats, in Cincinnati with his partner, Stan Gray. In 1956, they bought the Adam Hats store in Louisville, which Joe managed. They later changed the store names to House of Adam and, over the years, owned and operated several stores in Ohio and Kentucky. Joe loved the clothing business and operated the Louisville store in downtown Louisville for nearly 40 years. Joe married his first wife, Bettylou, in 1954. After moving to Louisville, he and his family were members of The Jewish Community Center and Temple Brith Shalom, now The Temple. Following Bettylou's death in 1986, Joe rededicated himself to his business. In 1992, he was married for the second time, to Lolly Dobreff, a friend from his childhood and with whom he corresponded while in the army. The approaching new millennium inspired Joe to sell his business in the mid 1990s and retire to Sarasota, Florida with Lolly, where he enjoyed long walks on the beach, dining at his favorite restaurants and visits with his many friends and members of his family, who will miss him dearly. Eventually, Joe and Lolly relocated to the east coast of Florida so he could reunite with his lifelong friends, Sam Schwartz and the late Fred Wexler. They were known as the Three Musketeers when they were kids. In 1993 Joe was predeceased by his son, Rick. He is survived by his second wife, Aileen (Lolly) Hascal; children, Pam (Richard) Levin of Kentucky, Erica (Terry Gratz) Dobreff of Missouri, Denise Hauser of Florida, Kevin (Caren) Dobreff of Michigan; 8 grandchildren; 2 great-grandchildren. He will also be missed by his brother, Albert Hascal of Washington; nieces, Mickey Kahn, Florida, Frances Dolgin, Georgia, Sandra Lewis (John) Kniep of California, Marilyn (Sig) Thorlakson of Washington, Jenny Hascal, Washington, Margie Hascal Gills, Florida; nephews, Jim (Pam) Hascal of Texas, Leonard (Carol) Kane, South Carolina, Richard Hascal of California. A graveside service was held May 3rd at the South Florida VA National Cemetery in Lake Worth, Florida. Donations may be made to Congregation Etz Chayim at 3853 Woodley Rd., Toledo, OH 43606 or The Deleon D. Dobreff scholarship fund: % Director of Annual Giving, Grand Rapids Community College Foundation, 143 East Bostwick Avenue, NE Grand Rapids, MI 49503.