Seymour Kaufman

SEYMOUR KAUFMAN, age 95. Beloved husband of the late Mary (nee Phelps); loving father of the late Larry Baran; devoted grandfather of Kimberly Ennemoser (husband Todd), Eric and Tracy Baran and great grandfather of Nathan and Julia Ennemoser; father-in-law of Barbara Baran; cherished brother-in-law of the late Betty Phelps Lawson. World War II U.S. Army Veteran.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Seymour’s memory to Hospice of the Western Reserve, 17876 St. Clair Avenue, Cleveland OH 44110.

Seymour was born February 22, 1919, in New York City. His family moved to a dairy farm in Wurtsboro, NY (70 miles north of New York City), when Seymour was five years old. He went to high school in Middletown, NY and graduated from Cornell University. Seymour served four years in the Armed Forces in World War II. He was a weather forecaster when discharged from the Army.

After being discharged from the Army, Seymour spent some time in Los Angeles going to UCLA. He later worked on the family dairy farm in NY. In 1953, Seymour traveled to Cleveland seeking employment in a science related field as he had majored in science and mathematics toward his Bachelor of Science degree in secondary School Teaching. Seymour did not care to pursue teaching and obtained a job at the American Gas Association Laboratories on East 62nd Street, off St. Clair, in 1953. The company later moved to Independence.

Seymour retired in 1987, after a little more than 33 years of service. He married Mary in 1960 and immediately moved into their house on Longridge Road in Mayfield Heights. Mary’s son, Larry, was in his early teens when Seymour and Mary were married. Seymour suggested living in Mayfield Heights because the schools would be better for Larry.

Larry’s first wife, Barbara, has been a very close friend through the years, as have their children Kim (husband Todd), Eric and Tracy and great-grandchildren Nathan and Julia. They would all visit back and forth many times during the year and all of the holidays. When Seymour had his open heart surgery and near-death episode in 1992, they were there before and after the surgery. Mary could not have gotten along without them. Larry was also at the hospital and stayed with Mary for several days when Seymour was at the hospital. Seymour was also close to his sister-in-law Betty Phelps Lawson and her husband Bill, as well as Betty’s children Dean and Kathleen.

Seymour’s longtime passion was golf and though he was a fair golfer, Seymour was dedicated to the sport. He practiced golf a lot, had a library of golf books, golf magazines, golf videos and took golf lessons. When relaxing, Seymour liked to read and play bridge. Seymour also volunteered at Hillcrest Hospital from 1987-1992.

Seymour enjoyed going ballroom dancing with Mary. He met Mary at the Aragon Ballroom, and they were better than average dancers. Seymour and Mary went to many senior citizens dances and in recent years, dances at the Painesville Township Park Dance Hall.
Seymour will be remembered for his good sense of humor. He liked to tell jokes and was friendly with everyone he met.

PRIVATE GRAVESIDE SERVICES with Military Honors at Knollwood Cemetery. Cremation and arrangements by THE DeJOHN FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATORY.