AJL Friends, I recently learned that longtime AJL member Lee Wixman passed away. Lee was the husband of librarian Irene Levin Wixman, who helped establish the AJL Newsletter. Though not a librarian himself, he was passionately supportive of the profession and our organization, and attended many annual conferences.
I first met Lee in 1998. I was a brand new librarian at Congregation B'nai Israel in Boca Raton, FL. Lee marched into my library and announced that there was a South Florida AJL chapter meeting coming up in Miami (an hour south) and that he would drive me to it. He also informed me that I'd be helping to put on a convention in Boca in 1999! He was right on both counts, and for years he took an avuncular pride in my AJL successes, since he'd gotten me started. Lee could be abrasive and impatient, and didn't always show good sense, but he was the hardest worker you ever saw, and his heart was in the right place. May his memory be for a blessing. Here is the obituary that was in the Broward Sun-Sentinal. If you follow this link to the original obit, you can also see a truly debonair photo of Lee, in which he looks like James Bond. http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/sunsentinel/obituary.aspx?page=lifestory&pid=171097465 Leo (Lee) Wixman, 94, of Delray Beach, FL died peacefully Tuesday, May 20, 2014 at Florida Medical Center. He was born and raised in New Haven, CT, and was the son of the late Nathan and Bessie Wixman. Lee was a veteran of WWII<http://www.legacy.com/memorial-sites/ww2/?personid=171097465&affiliateID=1026>. He worked in sales most of his life but after retirement, he worked at his true passion, the theater. He was a member of the Stagehands Union and actively worked until his early 90's. Lee lead a very active life right up until he died. He was an avid golfer, a voracious reader and a wonderful family man. He volunteered for many groups including the Veterans, elderly with transport needs and the Jewish Library Association. He is predeceased by his beloved wife of 35 years, Helen, his dear second wife, Irene (Levin) and his daughter, Leanne Copes. He is survived by his daughters, Fredi Labaire of Margate, FL and Mindy and Bruce Ogan of Farmington, CT, his son, Daniel Wixman of Seattle, WA, grandchildren, David and Eric Ogan of Farmington, CT, Illana and Todd Navas of Whitehall, PA, Haley and Kenny Copes of New Haven, CT, Sheri Henderson of Hephzibah,GA, great grandsons, Tristan and Haiden Henderson of Hephzibah, GA, and his beloved nieces, Bev and Arnie Drill of Oahu, HI and Bonnie and Bruce Walkes of Atlanta, GA. Services will be held Friday, May 23, 2014, at 10:30 am at the Star of David Memorial Funeral Chapel, 7701 Bailey Rd., North Lauderdale, FL 33068. Memorial contributions may be made to the Jewish War Veterans of the U.S.A., National Headquarters 1811 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20009 Heidi Estrin AJL President
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