Irwin (B.) Singer

Irwin B. Singer of West Hartford and Boca Raton, FL, loving husband of Beverly Dansky Singer, died Saturday, (December 17, 2011). He was a prominent Hartford area businessman and philanthropist; was active in many civic and social organizations; and was a dedicated and loving husband, father and grandfather. Born in Hartford on December 21, 1934, Mr. Singer was the son of the late Joseph and Sarah (Gaberman) Singer. He was a graduate of Weaver High School in Hartford, received a Bachelor of Science degree from Boston University and attended Georgetown University Law School. Upon the untimely passing of his father and brother, within six months of each other in 1967, Mr. Singer chose to forego his lifelong dream of practicing law, and returned to the Hartford area to tend to his family’s needs. He became President of The Atlas Oil Company. Through his determination and extraordinary business sense, he built his family’s small oil company into the largest Mobil Oil distributorship in the United States at that time. The company was acquired by Mobil Oil in 1995. Since that time, Mr. Singer remained active in the management of his real estate holdings and numerous other business endeavors, as President of Singer Atlas Realty. Throughout his career, he had countless honors bestowed upon him. He was appointed a Member of the Board of Directors of First Federal Savings and Loan Association of East Hartford in 1972. In that capacity he served as Chairman of the Loan Committee; Chairman of the Nominating Committee; Vice Chairman of the Audit Committee; Member of the Personnel Committee and Member of the Planning Committee. He also served as Director of First Eastern Corporation; Director of the Independent Connecticut Petroleum Association; Vice President of the Better Home Heat Council of Greater Hartford; Assistant Brand Chairman representing Mobil Oil distributors for the entire United States; President and Vice President of Kiwanis Club of East Hartford; Director of the Chamber of Commerce of East Hartford; Vice President and Director of “Main Street Plus”, a corporation formed to revitalize Main Street, East Hartford; Incorporator of Manchester Memorial Hospital; Chairperson of the Boston University Alumni Association of Hartford County; and a member of Toppers. Mr. Singer directed and participated in numerous fundraising endeavors for civic organizations, including the East Hartford YMCA; the Heart Association of East Hartford; and the Cancer Crusade. He was a member of Temple Beth Israel, West Hartford, and the Beth Israel Men’s Club; the Greater Hartford Jewish Community Center; and the Tumblebrook Country Club. He was an avid golfer and skier, and a life-long Boston Red Sox fan. Mr. Singer was a man of superior intelligence. He possessed a great passion for all life had to offer and compassion for anyone who could benefit from his sound advice. Those qualities won him the respect and admiration of all who came to know him. When Mr. Singer spoke, whether in a business meeting or social setting, he always commanded the attention of everyone around him. His input was invariably of great value. He possessed extraordinary talents, and reveled in the opportunity to share his wealth of knowledge with others. He had a unique ability to solve the most complex issues, both personal and professional, and was always willing to lend his insight. He was thankful for his achievements in life, and felt a strong responsibility to help those who were less fortunate. Despite his many professional accomplishments, Mr. Singer will best be remembered for his warmth, wisdom, generosity, and love of family. He and Beverly, together, created a home filled with life, love and laughter. So long as they had each other and their health, they had everything. Despite his many passions in life, he was at his very best when he was spending time with his beloved grandsons, Andrew and Austin. Whether they were attending a Red Sox game, playing with a new toy or simply discussing the boys’ day at school, the smile on his face and the twinkle in his eyes revealed that “Pappy” was a man who had everything one could ask for. He was an extraordinary husband, father, grandfather, friend and advisor. His warmth and wisdom will be greatly missed by all who knew him. Irwin is survived by his beloved wife, Beverly; his son, Gregory of Anchorage, AK, his son, Jonathan of Cambridge, MA; his daughter Pamela, her husband Allen Bestwick, and his beloved grandsons, Andrew and Austin, all of East Greenwich, RI. He was predeceased by his brother, Walter Singer. A memorial service will be held, Tuesday, (December 20, 2011) at 12:30 p.m. in the chapel of the Weinstein Mortuary, 640 Farmington Ave, Hartford. Interment will be at the Beth Israel Cemetery, Avon. A memorial period will be observed at his home, 80 Ferncliff Drive, West Hartford, through Tuesday evening. Memorial contributions may be made to the Walter V. Singer Memorial Scholarship Fund (#30010), c/o UConn Foundation, Inc, 2390 Alumni Drive, Unit 3206, Storrs, CT 06269.