Submitted by: Dan Rich

Samuel New

Sept. 12, 1921 - March 5, 2002

South Bend Tribune 3/8/2002

Samuel New, 80, passed away Tuesday, March 5, in his home in Scottsdale, Ariz. Sam was born Sept. 12, 1921, in South Bend, Ind., to Molly and David New. He grew up in South Bend and moved to Elkhart, Ind., shortly after marrying Joan Breskin on Dec. 15, 1946. Since 1973, Sam and Joan enjoyed winters in Scottsdale. Sam is survived by his wife, Joan; his sister, Helen (Herman) Landau of Louisville, Ky.; his children, Barbara (Jos) Anshell of Scottsdale, Phyllis New of Scottsdale and Jeffrey (Ilene) New of Granger, Ind.; and by his eight grandchildren, Jeremy Anshell, Nathan Goldberg and Betsy Goldberg of Scottsdale, Adam Anshell of Atlanta, Ga., Adriene (Brett) Kurland of Chicago, Ill., and Daniel, Seth and Jordan New of Granger.

Sam was a graduate of South Bend Central High School and Indiana University Bloomington (1943, accounting), where he was a member of the Sigma Alpha Mu Fraternity. During World War II, Sam served in the U.S. Navy as a lieutenant on the U.S.S. Anthony in the Pacific theater. In 1947, Sam co-founded Mid-City Supply Company, Inc., Elkhart, with Melvin Cohn. After 38 successful years, Sam retired in 1985. Sam also served as the secretary-treasurer of the Bristol Corporation, Bristol, Ind., retiring from that position in 1984. For 15 years he was a respected board member for St. Joseph Valley Bank & Midwest Commerce Bank.

Sam was a very philanthropic man and led by example. He was chairman of the Elkhart Housing Authority for 15 years, and was a benefactor and board member of the Indiana University Jewish Studies Program. Sam was at various times president of Temple Israel, the Elkhart Rotary Club and the Michiana Credit Management Association. He served as a board member for the following organizations: United Way of Elkhart County, Better Business Bureau, Greater Elkhart Area Chamber of Commerce, Elcona Country Club, the Jewish Federation of St. Joseph Valley, Sinai Synagogue, Temple Israel, Elkhart Rotary Club, and the North American Heating, Refrigeration, Air-Conditioning Wholesalers Association. Sam was an accomplished and avid golfer. He was extremely proud of his two holes-in-one at the Elcona Country Club. He enjoyed flying and earned his private pilot's license in 1974. Sam was a kind, generous and gentle man with a quick, dry wit. His humor and love will always be celebrated by his family and friends.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. today, March 8, in Sinai Synagogue, 1102 East LaSalle Avenue, South Bend. Donations may be made to the Sinai Synagogue Fund for the Future or to the Jewish Federation of St. Joseph Valley. The Forest G. Hay Funeral Home is handling arrangements.