Obituary: Irving Lipsky

Irving Lipsky died peacefully in his sleep, surrounded by his family. He was an amazing man, so full of life, until he caught pneumonia two weeks before his death.

Irving was born on Oct. 6, 1920, and lived a long, wonderful life and we were so blessed to have him in our lives for so many years. He grew up in Brooklyn, N.Y., and was the son of two Russian immigrants. Irving graduated early from high school and completed accounting courses. After deciding that accounting did not fit his personality, he began a lifelong career in retail. Irving worked for a retail store in N.Y. and was eventually transferred to manage a store in Charleston, S.C. He then started his own business, Peoples Clothing Store, in the 1960s and was the first merchant to offer credit to his customers and to hire a woman of color. This was unheard of in the 1960s, and he refused to let anyone come between him and his customers.

After retiring at age 75, Irving spent the rest of his life volunteering and caring for others. He started calling bingo for the seniors at the Sherman House and then donated a van so that he could take them on trips around Charleston every Wednesday. The activity room at the Charleston JCC was named in his honor.

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Irving was also a member of the Charleston Exchange Club and volunteered every year at the Charleston Fair to raise money for various charities. He, with his wife (Helen), were volunteers at the Charleston Aquarium and spent many summers in Israel teaching English to Ethiopian immigrants. He was awarded the Order of the Palmetto by the governor of South Carolina for his tireless community service work. He and Helen were also awarded the Star of David Award from Israel Bonds for their work in Israel.

Irving loved to entertain and performed in numerous Yiddish and Jewish plays and shows in Charleston. No matter how big or small the part, he stole the show. When living at Sun City Bluffton, Irving taught Yiddish classes, and when moving to The Piedmont in Atlanta he called bingo every Monday and was known as the Bingo Man.

Irving met Helen when she was 15 and he was 17 years old. He asked her to dance, and they never stopped dancing for 82 years. They were married on Dec. 24, 1941, after Pearl Harbor, and were married for almost 78 years. Irving and Helen are finally together again and can dance with each other for eternity.

Irving is remembered by his daughters, Arlene Marcus, (Steve), Linda Wyland (Mel), and Ina Enoch (Harold). He is also remembered by his six grandchildren, Myra Marcus, Seth Marcus (Peggy), Jill Wyland, Amy Wyland, Jordan Enoch and Ryan Enoch (Amanda) and his four great-grandchildren, Michael Malady, Ari Schklar, Molly Marcus and Annie Marcus.

Please send donations in memory of Irving Lipsky to Weinstein Hospice and the William Breman Jewish Home (3150 Howell Mill Road Atlanta, GA 30327) and Jewish Family Career Services (AVIV older adult program) 4549 Chamblee Dunwoody Road Dunwoody, GA 30338.