Sidney A. Weinstein was born May 15, 1921, in Richmond Va. He moved to the Roanoke area with his family the following year, attending Crystal Spring Elementary school, Jefferson High School and Roanoke college. He was editor of Roanoke College's campus newspaper The Brackety-Ack, editor of Roanoke College's 1942 centennial yearbook, and nominated to Whos' Who in American Colleges and Universities. He loved his years at Roanoke College and was later awarded the Roanoke College Medal, the highest honor bestowed upon alumni for his many contributions to the Roanoke College community. After graduation, he joined the United States Army Air Corps and edited the Air Corps newspaper as well. At the end the war, via a writing contest in which he came in second to Betty Friedan, he was awarded a full scholarship to Columbia University School of Journalism. By that time he had met and married Ann Levy Yohalem of New York City. They married at New York's Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in 1946 and shortly thereafter he joined the family business, Sidney's Inc. eventually becoming President and CEO and growing the business from one store to 81 stores in seven states. According to a former employee, Mardi Childress of Nagshead, N.C., "He was way ahead of his time as a businessman. His colleagues--manufacturers and buyers in New York knew this and enjoyed and respected him because while he was always the first to play and joke, he always, always played by the rules. His employees respected him too because he respected them and while he was tough, he was always fair. Besides he was never more tough on anyone than he was on himself."
According to industry experts, he was one of the first retailers to travel abroad, first to Europe and England, and then to China, creating his own label years ahead of the pack. He collaborated on the design of his stores, he developed innovative advertising, and was one of the first retailers to use the computer--a giant IBM mainframe which had an electrical short the first go-live day. Within several minutes, he managed to get the attention of IBM's CEO and a crucial part was flown in by private jet along with the IBM technician to install it that same day. The business operated successfully for many years but closed in 1993.
That next year, at the urging of real estate mogul and developer, Len Boone, he received his real estate license and went to work for Boone & Company. In 1998 he achieved Boone's "gold" level, and according to Mr. Boone was particularly effective selling to foreign-born professionals moving into the area. He sold one house to a Czech doctor entirely over the Internet. In 2002, the 130 agents at Boone voted him Associate of the Year. He was immensely moved and proud and the colleagues there became his second family. He retired from the business in the fall of 2008. A child of the depression, he had a strong work ethic.
He taught Sunday School at Temple Emmanuel where he helped to lay the foundation for the new building in the 1960s. He sat on the boards of the Roanoke Regional Airport, the Roanoke Science Museum, the Roanoke Fine Arts Center, The Roanoke Symphony, and American Motor Inns, Inc. The arts establishment acknowledged the Weinsteins' contributions in 2000, honoring them with the Perry F. Kendig award. "Ann and Sidney have been two of the strongest driving forces for the arts in this community," according to internationally acclaimed poet Nikki Giovanni, an old friend. "A lot of things that have made the arts in Roanoke come alive, Sidney and Ann were pushing for these things long before anyone else."
Sidney Weinstein lived in Roanoke for all of his 87 years except when travelling for business and with his beloved wife of 60 years, former artist and art critic for the Roanoke Times, V, and Senior News. He enjoyed participating in civic life, loved politics, history and following Ann L.Y. Weinstein to art events in Roanoke, the U.S., and all over the world. Through it all, he was a great (and mostly anonymous) benefactor to individuals and to the community in which he was raised. He will be remembered and loved for his generosity, his humor, wit, and love of the innocents of the world--children and dogs.
Mr. Weinstein is survived by his daughter, Naomi Weinstein Klass and his son-in-law, David Klass, of New York City; his daughter, Susan Weinstein, of Baltimore, Md.; his granddaughter, Cara Ann Paxton, of Washington, D.C.; his granddaughter, Sidney Alexandra Weinstein, of Baltimore, Md. and Charleston, S.C. He is also survived by his brother, Norman and his sister-in-law, Deborah; his niece, Rachel Weinstein; and grandniece, Madeline, all of New York City; his niece, Emily Weinstein, of Durham, N.C.; and his nephew, Jonathan Jacob Weinstein; and his grandniece, Amalka Weinstein, of Prague, Czech Republic.
The family will receive friends at Oakey's South Chapel from 5 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday. The memorial service will be held at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, also at Oakey's South Chapel with reception to follow.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Saint Francis of Assisi Service Dog Foundation, 8232 Enon Drive, Roanoke, Va. 24019.
According to industry experts, he was one of the first retailers to travel abroad, first to Europe and England, and then to China, creating his own label years ahead of the pack. He collaborated on the design of his stores, he developed innovative advertising, and was one of the first retailers to use the computer--a giant IBM mainframe which had an electrical short the first go-live day. Within several minutes, he managed to get the attention of IBM's CEO and a crucial part was flown in by private jet along with the IBM technician to install it that same day. The business operated successfully for many years but closed in 1993.
That next year, at the urging of real estate mogul and developer, Len Boone, he received his real estate license and went to work for Boone & Company. In 1998 he achieved Boone's "gold" level, and according to Mr. Boone was particularly effective selling to foreign-born professionals moving into the area. He sold one house to a Czech doctor entirely over the Internet. In 2002, the 130 agents at Boone voted him Associate of the Year. He was immensely moved and proud and the colleagues there became his second family. He retired from the business in the fall of 2008. A child of the depression, he had a strong work ethic.
He taught Sunday School at Temple Emmanuel where he helped to lay the foundation for the new building in the 1960s. He sat on the boards of the Roanoke Regional Airport, the Roanoke Science Museum, the Roanoke Fine Arts Center, The Roanoke Symphony, and American Motor Inns, Inc. The arts establishment acknowledged the Weinsteins' contributions in 2000, honoring them with the Perry F. Kendig award. "Ann and Sidney have been two of the strongest driving forces for the arts in this community," according to internationally acclaimed poet Nikki Giovanni, an old friend. "A lot of things that have made the arts in Roanoke come alive, Sidney and Ann were pushing for these things long before anyone else."
Sidney Weinstein lived in Roanoke for all of his 87 years except when travelling for business and with his beloved wife of 60 years, former artist and art critic for the Roanoke Times, V, and Senior News. He enjoyed participating in civic life, loved politics, history and following Ann L.Y. Weinstein to art events in Roanoke, the U.S., and all over the world. Through it all, he was a great (and mostly anonymous) benefactor to individuals and to the community in which he was raised. He will be remembered and loved for his generosity, his humor, wit, and love of the innocents of the world--children and dogs.
Mr. Weinstein is survived by his daughter, Naomi Weinstein Klass and his son-in-law, David Klass, of New York City; his daughter, Susan Weinstein, of Baltimore, Md.; his granddaughter, Cara Ann Paxton, of Washington, D.C.; his granddaughter, Sidney Alexandra Weinstein, of Baltimore, Md. and Charleston, S.C. He is also survived by his brother, Norman and his sister-in-law, Deborah; his niece, Rachel Weinstein; and grandniece, Madeline, all of New York City; his niece, Emily Weinstein, of Durham, N.C.; and his nephew, Jonathan Jacob Weinstein; and his grandniece, Amalka Weinstein, of Prague, Czech Republic.
The family will receive friends at Oakey's South Chapel from 5 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday. The memorial service will be held at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, also at Oakey's South Chapel with reception to follow.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Saint Francis of Assisi Service Dog Foundation, 8232 Enon Drive, Roanoke, Va. 24019.
Sidney A. Weinstein was born May 15, 1921, in Richmond Va. He moved to the Roanoke area with his family the following year, attending Crystal Spring Elementary school, Jefferson High School and Roanoke college. He was editor of Roanoke College's campus newspaper The Brackety-Ack, editor of Roanoke College's 1942 centennial yearbook, and nominated to Whos' Who in American Colleges and Universities. He loved his years at Roanoke College and was later awarded the Roanoke College Medal, the highest honor bestowed upon alumni for his many contributions to the Roanoke College community. After graduation, he joined the United States Army Air Corps and edited the Air Corps newspaper as well. At the end the war, via a writing contest in which he came in second to Betty Friedan, he was awarded a full scholarship to Columbia University School of Journalism. By that time he had met and married Ann Levy Yohalem of New York City. They married at New York's Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in 1946 and shortly thereafter he joined the family business, Sidney's Inc. eventually becoming President and CEO and growing the business from one store to 81 stores in seven states. According to a former employee, Mardi Childress of Nagshead, N.C., "He was way ahead of his time as a businessman. His colleagues--manufacturers and buyers in New York knew this and enjoyed and respected him because while he was always the first to play and joke, he always, always played by the rules. His employees respected him too because he respected them and while he was tough, he was always fair. Besides he was never more tough on anyone than he was on himself."
According to industry experts, he was one of the first retailers to travel abroad, first to Europe and England, and then to China, creating his own label years ahead of the pack. He collaborated on the design of his stores, he developed innovative advertising, and was one of the first retailers to use the computer--a giant IBM mainframe which had an electrical short the first go-live day. Within several minutes, he managed to get the attention of IBM's CEO and a crucial part was flown in by private jet along with the IBM technician to install it that same day. The business operated successfully for many years but closed in 1993.
That next year, at the urging of real estate mogul and developer, Len Boone, he received his real estate license and went to work for Boone & Company. In 1998 he achieved Boone's "gold" level, and according to Mr. Boone was particularly effective selling to foreign-born professionals moving into the area. He sold one house to a Czech doctor entirely over the Internet. In 2002, the 130 agents at Boone voted him Associate of the Year. He was immensely moved and proud and the colleagues there became his second family. He retired from the business in the fall of 2008. A child of the depression, he had a strong work ethic.
He taught Sunday School at Temple Emmanuel where he helped to lay the foundation for the new building in the 1960s. He sat on the boards of the Roanoke Regional Airport, the Roanoke Science Museum, the Roanoke Fine Arts Center, The Roanoke Symphony, and American Motor Inns, Inc. The arts establishment acknowledged the Weinsteins' contributions in 2000, honoring them with the Perry F. Kendig award. "Ann and Sidney have been two of the strongest driving forces for the arts in this community," according to internationally acclaimed poet Nikki Giovanni, an old friend. "A lot of things that have made the arts in Roanoke come alive, Sidney and Ann were pushing for these things long before anyone else."
Sidney Weinstein lived in Roanoke for all of his 87 years except when travelling for business and with his beloved wife of 60 years, former artist and art critic for the Roanoke Times, V, and Senior News. He enjoyed participating in civic life, loved politics, history and following Ann L.Y. Weinstein to art events in Roanoke, the U.S., and all over the world. Through it all, he was a great (and mostly anonymous) benefactor to individuals and to the community in which he was raised. He will be remembered and loved for his generosity, his humor, wit, and love of the innocents of the world--children and dogs.
Mr. Weinstein is survived by his daughter, Naomi Weinstein Klass and his son-in-law, David Klass, of New York City; his daughter, Susan Weinstein, of Baltimore, Md.; his granddaughter, Cara Ann Paxton, of Washington, D.C.; his granddaughter, Sidney Alexandra Weinstein, of Baltimore, Md. and Charleston, S.C. He is also survived by his brother, Norman and his sister-in-law, Deborah; his niece, Rachel Weinstein; and grandniece, Madeline, all of New York City; his niece, Emily Weinstein, of Durham, N.C.; and his nephew, Jonathan Jacob Weinstein; and his grandniece, Amalka Weinstein, of Prague, Czech Republic.
The family will receive friends at Oakey's South Chapel from 5 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday. The memorial service will be held at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, also at Oakey's South Chapel with reception to follow.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Saint Francis of Assisi Service Dog Foundation, 8232 Enon Drive, Roanoke, Va. 24019.
According to industry experts, he was one of the first retailers to travel abroad, first to Europe and England, and then to China, creating his own label years ahead of the pack. He collaborated on the design of his stores, he developed innovative advertising, and was one of the first retailers to use the computer--a giant IBM mainframe which had an electrical short the first go-live day. Within several minutes, he managed to get the attention of IBM's CEO and a crucial part was flown in by private jet along with the IBM technician to install it that same day. The business operated successfully for many years but closed in 1993.
That next year, at the urging of real estate mogul and developer, Len Boone, he received his real estate license and went to work for Boone & Company. In 1998 he achieved Boone's "gold" level, and according to Mr. Boone was particularly effective selling to foreign-born professionals moving into the area. He sold one house to a Czech doctor entirely over the Internet. In 2002, the 130 agents at Boone voted him Associate of the Year. He was immensely moved and proud and the colleagues there became his second family. He retired from the business in the fall of 2008. A child of the depression, he had a strong work ethic.
He taught Sunday School at Temple Emmanuel where he helped to lay the foundation for the new building in the 1960s. He sat on the boards of the Roanoke Regional Airport, the Roanoke Science Museum, the Roanoke Fine Arts Center, The Roanoke Symphony, and American Motor Inns, Inc. The arts establishment acknowledged the Weinsteins' contributions in 2000, honoring them with the Perry F. Kendig award. "Ann and Sidney have been two of the strongest driving forces for the arts in this community," according to internationally acclaimed poet Nikki Giovanni, an old friend. "A lot of things that have made the arts in Roanoke come alive, Sidney and Ann were pushing for these things long before anyone else."
Sidney Weinstein lived in Roanoke for all of his 87 years except when travelling for business and with his beloved wife of 60 years, former artist and art critic for the Roanoke Times, V, and Senior News. He enjoyed participating in civic life, loved politics, history and following Ann L.Y. Weinstein to art events in Roanoke, the U.S., and all over the world. Through it all, he was a great (and mostly anonymous) benefactor to individuals and to the community in which he was raised. He will be remembered and loved for his generosity, his humor, wit, and love of the innocents of the world--children and dogs.
Mr. Weinstein is survived by his daughter, Naomi Weinstein Klass and his son-in-law, David Klass, of New York City; his daughter, Susan Weinstein, of Baltimore, Md.; his granddaughter, Cara Ann Paxton, of Washington, D.C.; his granddaughter, Sidney Alexandra Weinstein, of Baltimore, Md. and Charleston, S.C. He is also survived by his brother, Norman and his sister-in-law, Deborah; his niece, Rachel Weinstein; and grandniece, Madeline, all of New York City; his niece, Emily Weinstein, of Durham, N.C.; and his nephew, Jonathan Jacob Weinstein; and his grandniece, Amalka Weinstein, of Prague, Czech Republic.
The family will receive friends at Oakey's South Chapel from 5 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday. The memorial service will be held at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, also at Oakey's South Chapel with reception to follow.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Saint Francis of Assisi Service Dog Foundation, 8232 Enon Drive, Roanoke, Va. 24019.
