February 6, 2020 - Issue: Vol. 166, No. 25 — Daily Edition116th Congress (2019 - 2020) - 2nd Session
REMEMBERING THE LIFE OF LEO GOLDNER; Congressional Record Vol. 166, No. 25
(Extensions of Remarks - February 06, 2020)
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[Extensions of Remarks] [Pages E147-E148] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] REMEMBERING THE LIFE OF LEO GOLDNER ______ HON. MARCY KAPTUR of ohio in the house of representatives Thursday, February 6, 2020 Ms. KAPTUR. Madam Speaker, I rise today to remember the life of an extraordinary man, Leo Goldner. Leo lived a full life, brought joy to so many, and served as a valued member of the Toledo community. Today his family and friends gather to eulogize him, and I would like to read his obituary into the Record on this day: ``Leo Goldner was born in Toledo Hospital on July 3rd, 1923, son of Herman and Margret Fleichocher Goldner and brother to his beloved sister. For many years the Goldner's lived above their family dry goods store called the Chicago Bargain House. ``He lived in a Hungarian immigrant neighborhood in East Toledo and learned to speak fluent Hungarian. He was an avid Stamp collector and a Yo Yo champion. ``Leo was the only Jewish boy in his elementary and high school and learned to defend himself against neighborhood bullies by learning Judo and quickly worked his way up to Black Belt 5th degree status. He had release parochial time in elementary school, but instead of taking two buses to go to his synagogue, he agreed at the request of the Monsignor of St. Stephen's Church to become an altar boy at St. Stephens Church, an interesting choice for a Jewish boy. ``There are pictures of Leo hanging in Waite High School and in St. Stephen's Church where he donated the bronze statue of St. Stephen, which still stands there out front today on Genesee Street. He graduated from Waite High School as a member of the National Honors Society. ``Leo attended the University of Toledo to study pre-law, was on the wrestling and tennis team, and joined the Lamda Chi fraternity. Upon the invasion of Pearl Harbor, he enlisted in the U.S. Army. There, as a lowly private, he was eventually sent to officer's candidate school to become a Lieutenant. ``In the Army, he served under General George C. Marshall as chief of staff and helped liberate the Philippines under General Douglas MacArthur where he was injured in hand to hand combat. He had no less than 12 medals and five decorations, including the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart. ``He served as director of USO Camp Shows in the Western Pacific after being wounded in battle. He was an expert Magician and Hypnotist. ``During the time he was an infantry officer, he used two three day passes to marry the love of his life Marian Rachel Baron, to whom he was married for 76 years. ``After being discharged from the Army, he worked at the family dry goods store, but really wanted to have a store of his own. He accepted a job offer from his brother-in-law, Jerry Baron at Baron Steel Company. There he flourished as a salesman, making an unheard-of million dollars for the firm his very first year. Later, he and his brother-in-law Sidney Baron, started Tyler Steel, in 1953. Two years later, Leo started Parker Steel Company, which today is the number one distributor of metric metals in the nation. Leo and Marian began their married life in a house on Vermont Street in Toledo. In 1955 they built a home in Ottawa Hills. He included in the home a Theater room where he could perform magic tricks. He was past president of the Association of Steel distributors and a founding member of Magician Ring 68, Toledo, Ohio. He was the longest living member of the International Brotherhood of Magicians (where he was awarded the Order of Merlin), which he joined on his 16th birthday. Leo and his wife Marian were founding members of the Toledo Chapter of Hillel at the University of Toledo. He did hundreds of Hypnosis demonstrations benefiting Waite High School and raised over $200,000 for scholarships. For well over 34 years, he was the State of Israel Bond Chairman for NW Ohio and traveled to Israel over 20 times. He was on the National Board of Myasthenia Gravis Foundation, the Darlington House, (home for the aged) the Elks Club, the Kiwanis, a 32nd degree Mason, the Damaseus Lodge, as well as a member of Temple B'nai Israel, Temple Shomer Emunim, Congregation Etz Chayim, and the American Israel Policy Conference. ``Leo was also a member of the American Society of Clinical Hypnotists, the National [[Page E148]] Guild of Hypnotists Gold Baton Group at Toledo Symphony Orchestra, the President's Council of the Toledo Museum of Art, and the Ohio Governor's Club. ``He is listed in Who's Who in America and is a member of the Jewish Community Center, where he taught Judo for many years. He was an avid boater and fisherman. ``Leo was President of Parker Steel Company, a board member of Temple Shomer Emunim, Couples Club Co-chair, and Chairman of the board of the Footlighters' Club of South Florida which raises money for indigent entertainers and musicians. He and Marian had many joyous years at the family cottage, the Squeezum Inn, on Kelleys Island. ``Leo and Marian spent many winters in their home in the Florida Keys, before moving to Aventura, FL for the last 16 years. ``When asked if he had any regrets, Leo said: `Not really, I really don't have any regrets. I've lived my life enjoying every minute. I've tried to enjoy every minute. I don't know when it's going to end, but I don't want anyone to feel sorry for me when I'm gone. I've enjoyed every minute and accomplished everything I ever wanted to do. As far as I'm concerned, they can dance and celebrate a life well lived at my funeral.' ``Leo is survived by his wife Marian; his four children, Paul (Linda Bender, Sandra Soifer), Harriet (aka Camryn Lee), Marcia Alter and Janet Killam (Michael); his grandchildren, Andrea DeMar (David), Mark Goldner, Sharon Tipping (Michael), Olivia Potash (Daniel), and Jordan Killam; and his great- grandchildren, Lauren, Noah and Rebecca DeMar, Talia, Emma, and Abigail Tipping and Omri Potash.'' Leo Goldner was a fine man and will be remembered admirably by all those who knew him. We offer his family and friends our prayers and hope that they find comfort in the wonderful memories of what Leo meant to each of the people who shared in his life.