Funeral Details

Abraham “Abe” Rosenblum died on May 16th, the day after he reached his 99th birthday, and on Erev Shavout, a particularly significant holiday to him, surrounded by Florence, his loving wife of 70 years, family and loving care givers. Abe was admired and respected by all that knew him, and was so warm and engaging that all he met fell under his charms and considered him their friend and inspiration.

In his century of being, his life did not always seem it would end so peacefully. He was born in Nehrovo, Ukraine, to Shmuel and Chaya Sarah Rosenblum and had four sisters and three brothers. All but Abe, one brother in America and his mother who died before the war, were victims and murdered in the Holocaust. Abe honored and remembered their memory all the days of his life.

After surviving the Shoah, Abe went back to his family farm to determine if he would remain. Leaving, he observed the Nuremberg trials, and provided some translations services. He eventually made his way to Chicago, where he briefly lived with and worked for this brother, William.

During that time, he received a degree with honors from Lakeview High School and attended the University of Chicago. It was then that he met the love of his life and his lifelong best friend and companion Florence, and initially struggled in founding and growing the soon to be extremely successful Public Vending Corporation.

He moved his growing family to Skokie and was one of the founding members of Skokie Valley (Agudeth Jacob) Synagogue, where he remained an active and observant member for all of his life. He lained the Torah many days for the Congregation, was honored with chanting the sacred text of the most sacred prayers at most major holidays. He was elected President of the Synagogue and President of his vending association.

Although 99, he was as if a man of 70, because he often said his life did not being until he met his loving wife who survived him. He is also survived by his four daughters Sherry Rosenblum, Judy Federman, Andrea Crain and Susan Rosenblum: three sons-in-law (Gary, Harry, and Larry), and his nine beloved grandchildren (Evan, Stuart, Stacey, Michelle, Lisa, Eliott, Yevette, Estefani, Benjamin) and four great grandchildren.

Service will be held at Skokie Valley on Wednesday, May 19th at 12:00pm and private interment to follow. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center or Skokie Valley Agudeth Jacob Synagogue. Those interested in learning his story can watch his interview for Steven Spielberg's series: Survivors of the Shoah at bit.ly/AbesInterview . To attend the funeral live stream, please visit our website. Arrangements by Chicago Jewish Funerals - Skokie Chapel, 847.229.8822, www.cjfinfo.com