Abe Barrish's Obituary
Abe Barrish, 93, of Delray Beach, Florida, died on March 25, 2016. Abe was born on
November 17, 1922 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to Nathan and Ida Barrish. Abe grew up in
Philadelphia and in his teens moved to Brooklyn, New York. After service in the Army during
WWII, he relocated to the Catskills, and for seventeen years he worked at the Concord Hotel as
a waiter and captain in the staff dining room. In that capacity, he befriended many of the
performers and personalities that proliferated in that unique and legendary era.
While working at the Concord, Abe met Dotty, who would be his wife of sixty-eight years. Dotty
passed away on November 24, 2015.
But Abe was most closely identified with Kutsher’s Country Club, where from the early
nineteen-sixties until the late nineteen-eighties he was Maitre’D. Abe was part of a generation
that profoundly contributed to American and Jewish culture. He loved the Catskills and lived
through it’s greatest times.
Retiring to Rainberry Bay in Delray Beach, Florida, Abe thoroughly, enthusiastically, and joyfully
embraced retirement. Everyone was always happy to see Abe.
May his memory be for a blessing.
He is s survived by his son, Alan Barrish and his wife Jo Anne, daughter Linda Zwerner,
granddaughters Lily Barrish and Maggie Spicehandler, grandsons, Cody Zwerner and Jarron
Zwerner, great-granddaughter Cameron, great-grandson, Isaac and brother John Ruskin. He
was predeceased by his wife Dorothy, brothers Milton, Al (Ellis), Norman and his sister Jean.
Graveside funeral services will be 2:15pm, March 30, at Eternal Light Memorial Garden,
Boynton Beach, Florida. Arrangements entrusted to Levitt-Weinstein Memorial Chapel, Coconut
Creek, Florida. 954-427-6500.
Memorial contributions may be made to the hospice of your choice.
What’s your fondest memory of Abe?
What’s a lesson you learned from Abe?
Share a story where Abe's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Abe you’ll never forget.
How did Abe make you smile?