Mr. Arthur A. Weiss, 90, formerly a longtime business man of Hagerstown, and more recently of Jupiter, Florida, died Wednesday, April 22, 2015, at St. Mary’s Medical Center, West Palm Beach, Florida. He was the husband of Mrs. Gayl P. Gerber Weiss.
Born October 17, 1924 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, he was the son of the late Herman A. and Rose Witaskis Weiss.
Upon graduating from William Penn High School, Harrisburg, PA, in 1942, Arthur enlisted in the Army Air Corp and served in the Mediterranean theater. When he returned home from the war, Arthur went into business with his father and opened H.A. Weiss and Sons in Hagerstown. Shortly thereafter, he met his future wife ,Gayl Gerber in 1947 at Greiger’s Drug Store in Hagerstown. They married in 1949 and were fortunate to celebrate their 65th wedding anniversary in July, 2014 surrounded by their loving family and friends.
Arthur was active in the business community and various civic organizations, and he had a broad social conscience. Gayl and Arthur were longtime members of Congregation B’Nai Abraham where he served on the board. He was also a member of the Brotherhood.
When Arthur retired in 1986, he and Gayl became snowbirds in Florida, finally becoming permanent residents in 1994 in Jupiter, Florida. Arthur enjoyed being a pilot, a boater, a golfer, and an all purpose ambassador during those years. While in Jupiter, Arthur served as President of his community in Jonathan’s Landing.
In addition to his wife, Arthur is survived by his children Marvin Weiss and wife Judy of San Diego, California, Robin Zabel, of Frederick, and Mitchell Weiss and wife Mary of Knoxville, Tennessee. Arthur is also survived by his grandchildren whom he adored: Emily Weiss, Max Weiss, Ian Zabel, Becca Zabel, Rachel Weiss, and Megan Weiss. His favorite joys in life were their many visits and attending the special and important events throughout their lives.
The funeral service will be on Sunday, April 26, 1:00 PM, at Andrew K. Coffman Funeral Home, 40 East Antietam Street, Hagerstown. Rabbi Ariel D. Plost will officiate. Interment will follow in B’Nai Abraham Cemetery, Halfway, Maryland.
The omission of flowers is requested. Memorial contributions may be made in Mr. Weiss’s name to the Endowment Fund of Congregation B’nai Abraham, 49 East Baltimore Street, Hagerstown, Maryland 21740 (http://www.bnaiabraham.net); or to the Institute of Southern Jewish Life, P.O. Box 16528, Jackson, MS 39236 (http://www.isjl.org).
