Obituary: Philip Abram Kaplan - Atlanta Jewish Times

Philip Abram Kaplan, of Marietta, a retired businessman and philanthropist, passed away peacefully at his home Wednesday, Aug. 14, from complications of Parkinson’s disease. He celebrated his 89th birthday on Aug. 13 with his family and loved ones. The funeral was held at Arlington cemetery on Monday, Aug. 18 with Rabbi Lawrence Rosenthal and Rabbi Neil Sandler officiating.

Born in Baltimore, Md. to Elsie and Joseph Kaplan, Philip came to Atlanta to attend the Georgia Institute of Technology where he met and married the love of his life, Sally Ann Cavalier. After graduating with a Mechanical Engineering Bachelor of Science degree, he enlisted and proudly served as an officer in the United States Navy.

His professional career started as an engineer, but his logical and sharp mind combined with his compassionate heart led him to the world of Finance and Investments, portfolio management and strategic family legacies.

“When Philip Kaplan speaks, people listen” was a favorite family phrase during his employment at E.F. Hutton, as Assistant Vice President. Through the years and several mergers, he also worked for Shearson Lehman Brothers, Smith Barney and finally Morgan Stanley Wealth Management as Vice President Wealth Portfolio Manager. Helping older generations plan for their future and especially the education of their children and grandchildren became his forte, and he dedicated his final working years to helping make their dreams come true. When asked if he was going to retire as he neared 70 years old, he refused adamantly, replying, “I have too many little ladies whose husbands have passed that depend on me.” Philip Kaplan didn’t retire until the age of 82.

In his spare time, Philip started a second career in public speaking, educational lectures and story-saying that spanned over four decades. From Toast Masters classes to serving as a Docent for the Atlanta History Center to the Georgia Story Telling Network to the Financial Guest Speaker on cruise ships, he embraced every opportunity to share his knowledge with others. As a wordsmith extraordinaire, his stories were masters of alliteration, research, imagery and humor.

Philip was prominent and active in many religious and philanthropic organizations including the Ahavath Achim Synagogue, the William Breman Jewish Home, the Atlanta Jewish Federation, The Weber School, B’nai B’rith, JNF, and The American Cancer Society. His love for helping others was witnessed every Wednesday night when he called Bingo at the Jewish Home for over 35 years. His dedication was unfaltering, and even family celebrations or vacations had to be planned around these special nights. He taught Sunday School at AA Synagogue and coached basketball at the Jewish Community Center.

Nothing was more important to Philip Kaplan than his family and being the role model they deserved. His love for Judaism served as the structure for his daily lifestyle. An avid reader with a quest for continuous learning, he studied Rabbinical teachings and principles, Jewish observances and traditions and wisdom found in the Torah. He used this evolving knowledge to guide his family with not only words and teachings, but by his actions and examples. He and his beloved bride Sally rarely missed a Shabbat morning service. As a “regular,” he became the leader of the duchaning during High Holidays and even taught the younger generations proper protocol for this beautiful and meaningful practice.

Philip’s three grandchildren were truly his pride and joy, as they easily captivated his attention and adoration. From spelling bees to ballet recitals, soccer games and All-state Symphony Concerts to high school plays and lacrosse games, he cherished their talents, intellect, and ever-expanding minds and personalities. As he converted from Father to Papa, he emerged with a much stronger sense of compassion and tolerance, patience and do-overs and negotiations that always went their way.

Philip’s marriage was a poetic fairy-tale and defined by a full life … full of energy and love, activities and exercise, volunteering, reading and praying, self-improvement and travel. There were romantic trips, family beach trips, grand-children only trips, hiking adventures on trails near and far, heli-hiking on snow-capped mountains, journeys to China, Israel, Italy, Prague, Budapest, Germany, England and Alaska.

Of all of Philip’s profound life lessons, these will forever be etched in his family’s memory:
“Always make time to help others,”
“Leave the world a better place than how you found it,”
“Be the reason someone smiles today.”

Philip is survived by his wife of 67 years, Sally Cavalier Kaplan, son Michael Robert Kaplan and daughters Rebecca Ellen Kaplan and Elissa Debra Kaplan, three grandchildren Jonathan Kaplan, Rachel Kaplan and Ethan Kaplan, and one great-grandson, Philip J. Kaplan.

The family wishes to thank everyone for all the prayers, visits, calls, compassion and support over the past few years during Philip’s extended illness. Your kindness and concern embraced us with warmth, hope and love.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to Ahavath Achim Synagogue- the Helen Cavalier- Joe Cohen Daily Minyan Fund, the William Bremen Jewish Home and JNF. Arrangements by Dressler’s Jewish Funeral Care, 770-451-4999.

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