Burton Sarles' Obituary
BURTON B. SARLES
January 18, 1927 – December 1, 2018
Burton B. Sarles, 91, of Boynton Beach, Florida, passed away on December 1, 2018, from causes related to his advanced age. He was the third and last son born to Ukrainian-Jewish parents Ralph Sarles, a produce peddler, and Clara Sarles, a Kosher caterer, on January 18, 1927 in Buffalo, New York. Burton Sarles graduated from Buffalo’s Maston High School in 1945 and entered the U.S. Army where he reached the rank of Technical sergeant and was stationed domestically as World War II came to an end.
Together with family members, he helped run the Sarles Kosher Delicatessen on Buffalo’s Hertel Avenue as he pursued higher education. The store advertised with the motto: “Where Corned Beef Is King!” With the aid of the G.I. Bill and scholarships Sarles went on to study law at the University of Buffalo, where he helped found and co-edit the inaugural Buffalo Law Review. He graduated with an LL.D (Doctorate of Law) from the University of Buffalo with the class of 1951.
Burton met Sylvia Blackman, of Toronto, in the summer of 1948 at Crystal Beach, Ontario. They were married in 1950 in Buffalo, New York, and lived together in a long, loving, supportive marriage in Buffalo, Kenmore, Williamsville, New York and Boynton Beach, Florida.
Burton Sarles had a successful career as a trial attorney specializing in personal injury law for four decades. He began his law career working for the respected trial lawyer Norman Lewis, who put his young protégé in charge of a trial his first week on the job. After several years apprenticeship with Lewis he left to form Sarles & Freed with his childhood friend and law school classmate Sherwood Freed. Together they ran a successful personal injury law firm for many years in the Brisbane Building in downtown Buffalo, before amicably dissolving the firm. Sarles went on to found a new firm, Sarles & Frey, with his associate and partner Stephen Frey. In the 1970’s Sarles served a term as President of the Erie County Bar Association. He was also very active in the United Jewish Appeal.
Burton Sarles was an avid golfer and a long time member of the Westwood Country Club in Williamsville. He enjoyed skiing with his family and playing racquet sports with friends. On Saturday afternoons and Tuesday nights he could regularly be found relaxing at Kaufman’s Health Club, AKA “The Schvitz,” in Kenmore.
In the late 1980s Burton Sarles moved full time to Boynton Beach, Florida where for many years he enjoyed a full life of golf, socializing and travel with his wife Sylvia. He spent the last years of his life dedicated to the care and comfort of his wife, who was the love of his life.
Together Burton and Sylvia Sarles raised three children: Mark Sarles of Seattle, Washington, Susan Hoffman of Orlando, Florida and Bob Sarles of San Francisco, California. They have five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Burton Sarles was preceded in death by his older brothers Albert (Babe) and Daniel Sarles. He is survived by his wife of sixty-eight years Sylvia Sarles and his children.
Burton Sarles embraced the inevitability of his passing, having stated often that he had a long, happy, fruitful life filled with love, family, friendships and accomplishments, and that he left this world with no regrets. According to his personal wishes, there will be no public memorial.
Funeral arrangements entrusted to Beth Israel Memorial Chapel 11115 Jog Road Boynton Beach, FL. 33437
What’s your fondest memory of Burton?
What’s a lesson you learned from Burton?
Share a story where Burton's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Burton you’ll never forget.
How did Burton make you smile?