Marne Obernauer
OBERNAUER, MARNE: Age 93 passed away on October 10, 2012 in his home in West Palm Beach, FL. He was predeceased a few months earlier by his wife of 71 years, Joan Strassburger Obernauer, but he is survived by his son, Marne Obernauer, Jr (Peggy) and his daughter Wendy Obernauer Damon, who were by his bedside. He is also survived by his brother Somer Obernauer, one granddaughter, three grandsons and one great-granddaughter. He was also predeceased by his parents Anna and Arthur Obernauer. Mr. Obernauer was born and raised in Pittsburgh, PA and graduated from Shady Side Academy and then Cornell University in 1941. Shortly thereafter he accepted a commission as an officer in the United States Navy and served in World War II in a division of Naval Aviation called “Lighter than Air” (blimps). After the war Mr. Obernauer began his career in the hospitality industry, eventually focusing on the Wine and Spirits industry. In 1955 he became owner and operator of a New York State winery which produced Great Western wines and champagnes. After merging that company with the Taylor Wine Co. in 1961, he later moved on to become a leading wholesaler, acquiring Bohemian Distributing Co., then the largest wholesale distributor of wines and spirits in Southern California, and later Beverage Distributors Co. of Colorado, now a member of the Charmer Sunbelt Group. He was loved and respected by many friends and colleagues and especially his family. Services were held at Ralph Schugar Chapel, Inc. Shadyside. Interment West View Cemetery of Rodef Shalom Congregation. The family requests memorial contributions in his name be made to the Cornell School of Hotel Management, 189 Statler Hall, Ithaca, NY 14853 or Rodef Shalom Temple, 4905 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213. www.schugar.com
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