Allan Firestone

FIRESTONE

ALLAN FIRESTONE HOLOCAUST SURVIVIOR

On Thursday, January 5, 2023, ALLAN FIRESTONE of Silver Spring, MD. Devoted husband of 64 years to Barbara Firestone. Beloved father of Karen Firestone and Sharon Firestone Krasnoff (Julius Krasnoff). Cherished grandfather of Jemima Rose Frieda Rachel Firestone Greville.

Allan and his sister Julia were the sole survivors of their immediate family after the Holocaust. He and his sister were hidden by a friend's family maid during the war for over a year, and escaped near certain death more than once. After the war he wanted to migrate to British Mandate Palestine, but his sister wouldn't allow him to. Instead, immigrated to the US with her, her husband, and their young baby, his niece, Miriam. He resided in New York City with Julia and the family, and just as he was driven to live he knew that success in school and achieving a college education would be critical in the years ahead and immersed himself in his class work. Soon after, he joined the army and served in the Korean War. Upon return he went to college achieving a Bachelor's degree in business administration from Baruch College. He met Barbara and they married and eventually moved to Bowie, Maryland. In Bowie he became a member of a local synagogue, becoming an active member and continued to maintain a strong Zionistic outlook.

He worked for the Federal Government and eventually rose in the ranks of the IRS, becoming a member of the Senior Executive Service. After his retirement from the IRS, he went to work for the International Monetary Fund and consulted with the World Bank, traveling to many developing nations and Central Asian countries where he established financial and related monetary systems. In his retirement he volunteered at the Holocaust Museum, where he gave tours and spoke with visitors, which gave him such joy. He felt strongly that the world should never forget the Holocaust and his interview with the Holocaust Museum in which he described his war-time will forever serve as a reminder of the atrocities that occurred.

Allan will be remembered for his courage, honesty and his innumerable other redeeming qualities, but most importantly his desire to protect and cherish his wife, children, granddaughter and other family and friends.

Funeral services will be heldon Sunday, January 8, 2023, 1 p.m.at Judean Memorial Gardens Chapel,16225 Batchellors Forest Road, Olney, MD.Interment following. Shiva will be observed Sunday and Monday at Creekside B Community Room,2901 South Leisure World Boulevard, Silver Spring. The rest of the shiva will be at the family home in Creekside A. Memorial contributions may be made to the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum.Arrangements entrusted to TORCHINSKY HEBREW FUNERAL HOME, 202-541-1001.