Obituary of Leon Zylberman

LEON ZYLBERMAN - OBITUARY Leon Zylberman, 91, passed quietly at his home March 22, 2009. Born on July 15, 1917, he was the eldest child of Fishel and Zima (Zylberling) Zylberman in Osstrowiec, Poland. He and his brother, Jacob, were the sole survivors of their large family of origin murdered during World War II. Leon survived Sachsenhausen Death Camp near Berlin because the Nazis used clockmakers to work on missiles. "My craft saved my life," Mr. Zylberman would be quoted in an article decades later by Ericka Benjamin for The Daily Journal. Leon apprenticed watchmaking from age 12, learning from his father. It began a lifelong love affair with this craft. He would even create parts for watches and clocks if replacements were unavailable. Liberated after World War II, Leon searched to find other survivors, especially his beautiful girlfriend, Bella Blumberg. Following leads, Leon bicycled around Europe in his quest. The cycling hundreds of miles, chasing dead-ends and overcoming hardships would pay off: Leon and Bella were reunited. They emigrated to the USA. They wed on February 19, 1946 in New York City, their new home. Leon's first watching-making store was in The Bronx. In 1950, the Zylbermans and their two daughters visited friends in Vineland. The small countrified city was appealing for raising a family and making a living and, like many Holocaust survivors, the couple chose to settle nearby. First they tried chicken farming. A fire brought that to an end in 1957. Leon then directed his energies to fulltime watch-making and opened a small store on East Landis Avenue. After a second location was outgrown, the enterprise expanded to 628 East Landis Avenue and continued there for more than forty years as Precision Jewelers. A burglary and arson in 2002 ruined the business and forced Leon into retirement. Leon overcame many jeopardies to his health that would have stopped a lesser person. These included a near fatal traffic accident in 1991 and a devastating fall in 2001. Earlier on he had been tortured and beaten by his Nazi captors. A serious hearing disability resulted. Leon lived out his years in his Vineland residence where he was lovingly tended to by his family and wonderful caregivers. Predeceased by his wife, Bella in 1986, he is survived by children Sylvia Zinader of Millville, NJ, Phyllis Sterbakov of Boston, MA and Jerry Zylberman also of Millville; grandsons Brett, Matthew and Eric Zinader; and granddaughter, Briana Sterbakov. Leon's sole surviving brother, Jacob Zylberman, makes his home in Union, NJ. Funeral will be held 2:00 pm Wednesday, March 25th at Rone Funeral Home, 1110 East Chestnut Avenue, Vineland. Interment to follow at Alliance Cemetery, Norma, NJ. Shiva will be observed at the late residence Thursday, March 26th commencing at 3:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, please send contributions to the Birthright Israel Foundation, P.O. Box 1784, New York, NY 10156/ 888.994.7732 / www.birthrightisrael.com.