Stanley H. Garlitz's Obituary
Delray Beach – Stanley H. Garlitz of Delray Beach, took his final bow before departing for the music stage of the eternal, on October 12, 2017. For 62 years the beloved husband of Lillian (Gold) Garlitz, Cherished father of Dr. Jay Garlitz and wife Randi of Hawthorne FL, daughter Dr. Ivy Dennett-Thorpe and husband Clive of Felixstowe England. Loving grandfather to Dustin of Hawthorne FL, Janine and husband Michael Arno of Boynton Beach FL. Dedicated greatgrandfather to Maxwell Arno.
Stan is the brother of the late Gloria (Garlitz) Werman, the late Lester Garlitz (Leah), and Helen (Mel) Eisenberg of Berkeley CA. Nephew and Nieces include Jill Werman of Encinitis CA, Bronwyn Eisenberg of Berkeley CA, Jeffrey Garlitz of Milton MA, and Karen Stoloff of Canton, MA.
Stan, also affectionately known as “Stan the Piano Man”, was a professional musician and
educator. He attended Boston English HS where he was a classmate of Leonard Nimoy. Before joining the Army and serving in the Korean War, he studied at the Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA. He served in the Army parlaying his jazz and big band talents into performance motivating the troops, serving not far from the front lines, including in N. Korea. Once back stateside he resumed his professional music career. Lillian Gold attended one of his gigs on Cape Cod and they both fell head over heels for each other, and were married soon after. Lil encouraged Stan to continue his education. He studied at Boston University. They transferred and moved to Miami where he used his GI benefits to better himself. He obtained a Bachelor of Music and a Masters of Music, both from the University of Miami. Miami was attractive as a world known center of musical entertainment and Stan worked long hours as a professional pianist, playing for and with acts such as Jimmy Dorsey, Jimmy Durante, Phyllis Diller, Johnny Mathis and playing with Ira Sullivan’s and Les Brown’s big bands at the Fontainebleau Hotel in the 1960s and 1970s.
Stan also had a second career. His day job was teaching Elementary School, mostly as a 3rd and 4th grade classroom teacher. He taught in the Dade County School System, at Scott Lake Elementary 1960-66, and Sabal Palm Elementary from 1966-1990. Former students often wrote him with appreciation. He was cherished as a favorite teacher due to his holistic approach to education, infusing lessons with music and joy, plays and playground excitement where his creativity was put to use. Stan always embraced those who were unique in their own way, offering a refuge for those who were bullied, different, or had difficult home lives. Many a student commented on how much he changed their life. He did all this while raising a family, performing professionally on weekend evenings and providing piano lessons daily after school.
Stan’s memorial service will be held on Wednesday Oct. 18th at 1pm. The location is Beth Israel Memorial Chapel at 11115 S Jog Rd, Boynton Beach, FL 33437. Burial will be at Eternal Light Memorial Gardens following the service, at 1520 State Road 7, Boynton Beach, FL 33473. Shiva will be held at his residence, contact the family for information.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Parkinson's Research Foundation of your
choice.
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