Alvin Sherwin Solomon

Alvin Sherwin Solomon, age 98, died on October 10, 2020 at his home in Silver Spring, Maryland. He was born on December 11, 1921 in The Bronx, New York.  Alvin was the youngest of three children born to Anna and Jacob Solomon. His beloved older siblings included a brother, Dr. Stanley Solomon, and sister, Muriel (Rosenberg).

Alvin attended Evander Childs High School and began college at New York University. He often stated that one regret he had in life was not finishing college.  Alvin was a veteran of World War II. He served as a telephone operator working behind the front lines. He moved about the European Theater, including the invasion on the beaches at Normandy. He had great reverence for his comrades who fought on the front lines. In later years, he often quipped that his goal in life was to be “the oldest living veteran of World War II.”  Sadly, he was unable to attain this goal.  

Early in his working career, Alvin worked with his father building houses in the North Bronx. He later moved into a career in retail, most of that time selling shoes at Bamberger’s (Newark), Scientific Shoe Fitters (Caldwell), and Futter’s (Milburn).

Alvin always said he was a rich man because he had his family. He met his wife through buying a car. The salesman was impressed by Alvin and gave him his niece’s phone number. That young woman, Beatrice (Novek) Solomon, later became his loving wife of 60 years until her death during Sukkot 2012. Theirs was a beautiful relationship filled with love and care.

They started their lives together living in an apartment three floors above Alvin’s mother (who had been widowed just before Alvin and Bea’s wedding). After two years of marriage, they were blessed with their only child, their son, Jonathan. The family moved to East Orange, New Jersey in 1957 and then to West Orange in 1965, where Alvin and Bea lived until 2005.  They then moved to Silver Spring, Maryland to be near Jonathan, daughter-in-law Nancy, and granddaughters Shayna and Rachel.

Alvin will be greatly missed by his son, daughter-in-law, grandchildren, nieces, and nephews, devoted health aides, and by all those who knew him. He was a kind, decent man who found joy in the simple pleasures of life, especially spending time with family. Alvin was indeed a very rich man!

Those wishing to make a tribute in Alvin’s memory are asked to consider the following charities or a worthy charity of your choice (no flowers, please):

Tikvat Israel Congregation, Rockville, MD - Donate/Pay - Tikvat Israel Congregation Rockville MD

https://tikvatisrael.org/donate/#.X5I6XyRq2Ec

The Scottish Rite’s Children Dyslexia Centers - Donate • Children's Dyslexia CentersMasonic Charity Foundation of New Jersey, 902 Jacksonville Rd, Burlington, NJ 08016

https://www.childrensdyslexiacenters.org/donate/