Jack Wolinsky, z”l, passed away April 1, 2022. He is survived by his children, Carol Veatch (Lamar), Alan Wolinsky and Joan Kahn (Gary); grandchildren, Melanie Frank (Daniel), David Veatch, Benjamin Kahn and Emily Kahn (Benjamin Ficker); and seven great-grandchildren and 11 nieces and nephews. Jack was predeceased by his parents, Samuel and Anna Wolinsky, brothers Louis Wolinsky and Leo Wolinsky, and sister Edythe Davis.

Born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio, on May 19, 1924, Jack was known for his razor-sharp wit, enterprising nature and devotion to his family and the Jewish community. From his time as a young boy during the Depression, he showed remarkable entrepreneurial skills. As a youngster, he sold newspapers and ice cream on the streets of Cleveland and hawked bags of roasted peanuts at the baseball stadium. Later on, he successfully bought, built up and sold many businesses in Ohio and Florida, including gas stations, a car rental franchise, print shop and general store, which he laughingly called “a real life ‘schmatta mart.’”

After graduating from high school, Jack attended The Ohio State University before enlisting in the Army Air Corps in 1943, where he served in the South Pacific as a medic. In 1948, he married Maxine Horwitz. They lived for several years in Elyria, Ohio, and moved back to Cleveland in 1960, where they remained for nearly two decades.

Following a 10-year stint in Florida, Jack moved to Portland in 1990, where he fully took part in Jewish communal life, forming strong ties with fellow congregants at Neveh Shalom. For many years, he was an avid participant of the “Morning Minyanaires” and relished his role as the synagogue’s Gabbai. He also made many friends through his poker group that regularly met at Rose Schnitzer Manor.

While living in Portland, he served as executive director of the local chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) and as an employment specialist for AARP. Well into his 80s, he was the manager of his condo building, keeping the place ship shape and even changing residents’ lightbulbs.

His funeral was held April 4 followed by shiva services at Congregation Neveh Shalom. Congregation Neveh Shalom extends our deepest condolences to the extended Wolinsky family. Donations in Jack’s memory may be made to Congregation Neveh Shalom, the Oregon Food Bank or NAMI Oregon.