Elmer A. Hurwitz's Obituary
HURWITZ, ELMER
Age 95, passed away on June 14, 2014 following a brief illness at his home in Lantana, Florida, surrounded by loving family and friends. He was born in New York City on September 22, 1918, attended Clinton H.S. and graduated from New York University. Following his military service during World War II, Elmer began a successful career in the retail industry and eventually was hired away by Encyclopedia Britannica where he was consistently recognized for innovating new, highly effective, sales and marketing programs. In 1969 he moved to South Florida where he was instrumental in the development and marketing of Royal Palm Beach Colony. Always an extraordinary businessman and marketer, in 1978 he recognized the burgeoning telecommunications industry and co-founded Teltec Saving Communications, the first telephone reseller in the State of Florida, which grew to over $30 million annualized revenues and employed 500 people throughout the State.
In 1988 he sold Teltec and took his first retirement, until the mid-1990s when he again recognized a new frontier and cofounded Icanect, one of the first internet companies in South Florida. Following the successful sale of Icanect, he traveled the world and enjoyed life with the great love of his life, his wife “Roz”. However, during his entire life he never forgot his community and became a Founder at Mount Sinai Hospital, a “Golden Angel” at Sylvester Cancer Institute, and was active in various charities becoming one of “Ronald McDonald’s 12 Good Men’. On the personal side, he was a man of great passion and drive who was devoted to his family and friends: a man who loved to sing, play cards and experience all life had to offer; a man who always strived for perfection in himself, his family and those around him; a man who always spoke his mind and his heart.
He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law Joan and Mark Neptune; his daughter-in-law Connie Hurwitz; his grandchildren and respective spouses Alexis and Joshua Colbert, Chad and Katya Neptune, and Adam Hurwitz; his great grandchildren Max Colbert, Radha and Jonah Neptune, and Ricky and Robert Hurwitz, . He is predeceased by his wife of 68 years Roslyn Hurwitz and his son Robert Hurwitz. He will be missed by numerous others including nieces, nephews, cousins, and many very special friends.
Funeral services will be held at Beth David Cemetery, 3201 NW 72nd Avenue, Hollywood, Florida 33024, on Wednesday, June 18, 2014 at 12 noon.
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