Martin Goldhaber
GOLDHABER: Martin Goldhaber, age 102, died peacefully April 1, 2017, in Deerfield Beach, Fla., where he resided for the past five years at the Forum, a senior living facility. Mr. Goldhaber was born on May 22, 1914, in Philadelphia, the first child of Jacob and Renee Goldhaber. His family moved to Johnstown when he was 2 years old, and he resided in Johnstown continuously until his early 70s, when he retired and moved with his wife, Jane Stibich Goldhaber, to Pipers Landing, a golf community in Palm City, Fla. Mr. Goldhaber’s personal and business life were varied and full. He graduated from Johnstown High School as president of the 1932 class. He then joined his father and brother Louis in a family soft drink bottling business, Tulip Bottling Company, located on 3rd Avenue in the Cambria City section of Johnstown. The business grew and became Pepsi Cola Bottling Company of Johnstown and expanded with the addition of two Pepsi Cola bottling plants in West Virginia. With the outbreak of World War II, Mr. Goldhaber enlisted in the Army and served as a supply officer in Europe. While in Europe, he was not notified until early 1945 of the death of his younger brother, Louis, who, while serving in the Army in the South West Pacific theatre, had been killed in action on November 17, 1944, at Leyte, Philippine Islands. At the conclusion of the war, Mr. Goldhaber returned to the family business and operated the West Virginia locations until he permanently returned to Johnstown. In Johnstown, he became a devoted, loyal and generous community leader. In addition to his myriad duties as president of Pepsi Cola Bottling Company, Mr. Goldhaber was instrumental in starting Laurel Packing Company. Mr. Goldhaber lobbied for and prevailed in the decision to have the state of the art canning factory located in Johnstown. In the Johnstown and statewide community, he served as an officer or board member of a wide array of organizations, including president of the Advertising Club, president of Rotary Club, president of Pepsi Cola Bottlers Association of Mid-Atlantic States, president of Pennsylvania Soft Drink Bottlers Association, president of Greater Johnstown Chamber of Commerce, president of Bachelors Club, campaign chairman of Community Chest and president of Community Chest, vice president of Talus Rock Girl Scout Council, director of Johnstown Bank and Trust, director of BTL Finance Corporation, director of Jacob Fend Foundation and contributor to the establishment of the Goldhaber-Fend Fine Arts Center, board of directors and vice president of Mercy Hospital, chairman of the board of Cambria and Somerset Red Cross, board member of South Allegheny Lung Association, board member of Salvation Army, member of president’s advisory board of St. Francis College. Mr. Goldhaber also received various awards and honors including Doctor of Humanities degree from St. Francis College, Golden Deeds Award from Exchange Club of Johnstown, Citizen of the Year, 1978, Johnstown Lions Club and Outstanding Citizen of Cambria and Somerset County by the Penn State Alumni Association. Mr. Goldhaber also established scholarships for students at the University of Pittsburgh and Penn State University. He was a longtime member of the Sunnehanna Country Club, a lifetime Scottish Rite mason and a lifetime member of Beth Sholom Congregation. In addition to his community activities, Mr. Goldhaber enjoyed playing golf and scored his first hole in one at the age of 95. He prided himself on always being impeccably dressed and insisted on wearing a sport jacket and tie to his 100th birthday. Though he lived in Florida for more than 30 years, he continued to be a fan of Pittsburgh sports teams, especially the Steelers and Pirates. In addition to his parents and brother Louis, Mr. Goldhaber was predeceased by his first wife, Jane Goldhaber, his second wife, Ada Smith Goldhaber, his sister, Esther Goldhaber Jacovitz and his sister Miriam Goldhaber Cohen (Wolfie). He is survived by his nephew, Martin E. Goldhaber (Sally) of Pittsburgh, his niece, Loisann Jacovitz of Alameda, Calif., his nephew Lewis Cohen (Pamela) of East Hampton, N.Y., niece, Robin Cohen of New York City, great-nephew Louis J. Goldhaber (Amye) of Royal Oak, Mich., great-niece Kate Goldhaber (Brian) of Oak Park, Ill., great-great nephews Ray Goldhaber, Elliot Wilhite and Anderson Wilhite, great-great niece Stevie Goldhaber; and his loving and devoted caretakers Clarice Ellis and Marina Charlery and the staff of The Forum in Deerfield Beach. Services were held at John Henderson Co. Funeral Home. Rabbi Danielle Leshaw officiated. Interment Grandview Cemetery. Donations in Mr. Goldhaber’s memory may be made to the Beth Sholom Congregation, 700 Indiana Street, Johnstown, PA 15905 or a charity of donor’s choice.
comments