Stanley Spitzer's Obituary
Obituary for my Daddy....... Stanley "Arky" Spitzer
Written by Ellen Kleinert
Stanley "Arky" Spitzer transcended to heaven on March 18th, 2021. He was born in to this crazy world on June 22nd, 1926 in Brooklyn, New York. (born where probably half of South Florida's population hailed from.)
Arky was a gem of a guy. If one was to look up the Yiddish word "mensche" on the internet (not a dictionary as no one looks at those any longer), you would see a photo of my beloved Daddy Arky next to this word. The definition of "mensche" is a person of honor and integrity. And this truly describes my Daddy.
His life was a wonderful one and a rather unusual one, to say the least. The song "I Did It My Way," sung by his favorite, Frank Sinatra, surely sums up Arky's eventful life. He did not fit any particular mold. He definitely did it all his way.
Arky was not a 9-5 guy. He worked a government job at the United States Postal Service and raced home every day to prepare to morph into his duties as a professional baseball umpire.
Arky started playing baseball at a very young age and fell in love with the sport. He worked his way up to the minor leagues and then onto the major leagues. Ultimately, at the age of 18, this fabulous southpaw pitcher, was chosen to be on the Brooklyn Dodgers farm teams and played ball with the likes of Duke Schneider, Roger Maris, and Yogi Berra.
Unfortunately he was drafted into WWII and was wounded in France, earning a well deserved Purple Heart. Unfortunately, when he returned to the States, his injury was such that he was unable to play baseball. He was not to be deterred and had a plan B. He continued his love for baseball by working extremely hard and studying to become a professional baseball umpire. He umpired for over 50 years for high school, college and major league teams. Additionally, he was both home plate and bases umpire for the Yankees, Atlanta Braves and many other major league teams in spring training her in Florida. He was a Philly scout as well.
Arky was inducted in to the Stan Musial Baseball Hall of Fame and was well respected for his "spot on" calls, as back in the day there was no instant replay, so what Arky called was IT! He also earned a tremendous amount of respect due to his fabulous report with team players, the loud and obnoxious family members who adorned the bleachers, all managers and coaches, and his fellow baseball umpires. Arky was truly "the real deal".....and everyone loved him!
Daddy very rarely watched baseball on the television. He said it was too slow moving to watch, unless he was on the field playing or umping. He loved watching basketball and in his last years really enjoyed all teams, but especially following The Heat.
In 1951, Arky married the love of his life, my Mommy, Phyllis Gilman. They were blessed with two daughters, Rickie and Ellen. They were happily married for almost 63 years until Phyllis' passing in 2013. Arky and my Mommy, his beloved Phyllis, taught their children to always tell the truth as when you do there is only one thing to remember.....THE TRUTH. We were taught that when you lie, there is way to much to remember to get "the story straight" so go with the truth at all times. It worked! This is something that was instilled into my children as well.
Arky was a man of great integrity, kindness, compassion, love for his wife, children, grandchildren nieces, nephews, brother and sisters and extended family, and dear friends as well. He had a great wit, was wise and always looked at life with a positive attitude, well almost always, to tell the truth.
It is important to note that his nickname "Arky" was given to him by his fellow Brooklyn Dodger team mates. He was nicknamed after the famous Pittsburgh Pirates and Brooklyn Dodger premier shortstop of his era, Arky Vaughan. It was not just the way he played baseball but the personality of Arky Vaughan that made others see Stanley Spitzer as another Arky Vaughan. Arky Vaughan was the advocate for the other team members. He was strong, wise and sensible and did not like when others were bullied. Just like my Daddy! But he was low key and watched everything carefully, a real observer, but did not brag about his brilliant baseball abilities and stood for the underdog.
Daddy was truly a war hero, although he did not like to discuss his involvement in WWII. He was proud to be a veteran and to have fought for his country and believed in the democratic process. Unfortunately, in the past few years he was transfixed on CNN & MSNBC and voiced his disbelief in what was happening to the America he loved. Because Daddy lived with us for the the past several years and I was his primary caregiver, we had many discussions about what America was going through. He voiced his disgust and got to the point that he could not longer watch his favorite news stations.
There is no doubt that Stanley "Arky" Spitzer will be remembered for his fine qualities and being the exceptional human being he was. He never judged anyone, and would always say, "Don't ever judge. Have empathy and put yourself in other people's shoes as you never know what goes on behind closed doors and what others are going through." He would say, El, I don't know of any family that is not dysfunction to some degree." And I would answer by saying......."Yes, Daddy. Our family puts the FUN in dysFUNtional!!!!!"
Arky has earned his "heavenly angel wings" after spending 94 years & 4 months on earth. And he will continue to be the beautiful angel in heaven as he was truly on earth.
Myself, Ellen, his beloved daughter was lovingly called, "ladybug El" by Daddy my entire life. I was so blessed to have Daddy living with us for 7 1/2 years after my beloved Mommy passed and was honored to be his caregiver. These were truly some of the happiest years of my life. Why? Because the love that Daddy gave myself and my family all his life was a joy for myself, my children, and my late husband Mike, and my husband Jerry, to return ten fold!
Daddy was the beloved son of his parents, Sadie and William Spitzer. He was loved by his two sisters, Evelyn Lieberman and Laia Wilchinsky, of blessed memory. He is survived by his older brother, Joseph Spitzer (Rita). His beloved brother-in-law was Barry Gilman (Roz), may his memory be a blessing. He is survived by many nieces and nephews that he loved very much. Floyd & Arlene Lieberman, Mitchell & Iris Spitzer, Myna Hazzon, Myra Kogan, Brandi, Matt, Simone & Escher Larsen, Jayne, Jill and Scott, and many others as well.
Daddy is survived by his beloved daughter, Ellen, who is grateful for every beautiful moment I spent with him for the past 65 years. Never enough. He is also survived by Ellen's surrogate sisters, Janet Hurvitz, Roz Bruce, Rose Mallimo, Lorraine Rosa, Jerianne Rey, and Cira Leslie and loves them so very much. He was very much loved by his son-in-law Michael Alan Kleinert, may his memory be a blessing, and survived by his present son-in-law, Cantor Jerry Cohn.
He is survived by his beloved grandchildren, Wes Ian Kleinert, Shane Rory Kleinert, Dawn Rosa Kleinert, Barrie Gillian Kleinert, Melanie Cohn Hopwood, Ruben Hopwood, and great grandchildren, Onyx & Walter Cohn Hopwood and of course his many canine grandchildren.
Daddy also expressed his gratitude for the past few months of loving personal care given to him, at a very rough time, by nurses, and family...... Janet, wise as always, Roxy & Flo. Even though they cannot believe the language that came out of his mouth several times. (Oy Vey)
I must include the amazingly special and wonderful care given to my Daddy by Dr. Mitchell Goldstein all of these years. He stayed by the side of my entire family, with great medical care for us all always, and excepting the craziness that was present in our family! A thank you to Dr. Stephen Guida as well,
Thank you from my Daddy and our family to Vitas Hospice for the amazingly special and beyond wonderful care and compassionate that Daddy received the last 3 months. They had my back and his every step of the way. Thank you Alicia, Flo and the wonderful Chaplain....Rev. Tim Lott. You made Daddy's journey and ours more comfortable to handle.
I thank from the bottom of my heart...Beth Israel Memorial Chapel and its Director, Neal Hornfeld for making this family feel better than we thought we could. For treating us so special and understanding our needs on an individual basis. Your warmth, knowledge, compassion and passion for what you do is overwhelming special. This kind of stuff does not usual go in an obituary, but I was told the length did not matter.....so I have the opportunity to express what is in my heart at the hardest time in my life.
Arky was so grateful for all of his biological family especially in the later years of his beautiful accomplished life and his extended family....The Cohn's.....The Rosa's......The Mallimo's and The Ho-on's. He loved them all so much and I thank them all for making Daddy's life so special, making him feel so loved, included, and giving him so much joy. G-d Bless you all.
We all love you Daddy.....the happy memories will forever be in our hearts, in our souls and on our minds forever and beyond. You positively touched the lives of everyone you came in contact with.
AND MOST IMPORTANTLY......YOU DID IT YOUR WAY!
What’s your fondest memory of Stanley?
What’s a lesson you learned from Stanley?
Share a story where Stanley's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Stanley you’ll never forget.
How did Stanley make you smile?