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continued from page 16

“When I think of Gene, I will smile and
think what a great father, husband,
friend he was. The world needs more
Gene Applebaums.”
— SIDNEY FORBES

and will always remember that big
authentic smile that lit up any room
he was in.”

INDOMITABLE SPIRIT

Our heartfelt condolences are with
Marcia, Lisa and Pamela and their
extended family as they mourn the loss
of their beloved husband, father and
patriarch.

Eugene Applebaum’s generosity of
spirit and unwavering devotion to the
welfare of the metropolitan Detroit and
Jewish communities will live on in our
collective memory.

We are deeply saddened by his passing.

The William Davidson Foundation is a private
family foundation that honors its founder
and continues his lifelong commitment to
philanthropy, advancing for future generations
the economic, cultural and civic vitality of
Southeast Michigan, the State of Israel,
and the Jewish community.

williamdavidson.org

18

December 21 • 2017

jn

Eugene Applebaum’s passion, humor,
determination and positive mindset,
especially in facing his MS, have left
lasting impressions on his lifelong
friends as well.
“Gene has been fighting for so
long with such dignity; you can take
life lessons from him,” said Brian
Hermelin, son of Doreen and the late
David Hermelin. “He didn’t let MS
keep him home or down; he was con-
nected and engaged with everybody.
At events, you’d know Gene would
be there. He wanted to be out and be
seen. He was something else. He was
heroic in that battle.”
Though the Applebaum and
Hermelin families have a close, life-
long friendship, Brian says his rela-
tionship with Eugene grew when his
father, David, died at age 63.
“That’s a big loss,” Brian said. “I was
a young man embarking on a busi-
ness career. When my dad died, Gene
called every week or two. It wasn’t just
about business, but he told me stories
about my dad that only a friend going
way back could tell. They were great
to hear, and he loved to tell them. He
would crack himself up.
“He was a touchstone to my dad
as much as I might be one to him.
He told me he missed him every day.
Now, Gene will be missed.”
New York businessman and phi-
lanthropist Michael Steinhardt (chair
of the JN board) knew Applebaum
through Areivim (Jewish responsibil-
ity), a small group of mega-philan-
thropists pulled together by Robert
Aronson to collaborate on charitable
giving. Both families also are very
involved with the American Friends of
the Israel Museum.
“Gene Applebaum was a man
whose sweetness showed in his face.
Whenever I saw him, I came away
with the feeling of being with an
ennobled soul,” Steinhardt said.
Childhood friend Art Lieberman
of Birmingham and Sidney Forbes
of Bloomfield Hills each met with
Applebaum about once a week for
many years. They loved his humor
and his zest for life.

“Gene was very optimistic,”
Lieberman said. “He always loved a
great joke and liked a good laugh.
Optimistic is a good word for Gene.
He dealt with MS for 30 years, but
never let it hold him back. He will be
greatly missed.
“And he so loved his children and
grandchildren — and his wife. Marcia
was very kind and caring to him. They
had a great marriage.”
Forbes met him nearly every Friday
for a long, rambling lunch — at first at
Franklin Hills Country Club and then
at the Applebaums’ home.
“He was really a man of courage. He
never gave up and he had a tremen-
dous zest for life,” Forbes said. “When
I think of him, he always had a tre-
mendous smile on his face. When he
was diagnosed with MS, he continued
living his life in a very positive way,
always looking forward to the future.
That was the type of person he was.”
When it became difficult for
Applebaum to speak, Forbes said they
still communicated about everything
— life, their families, the future. He
said they laughed a lot.
“He was so proud of his daughters
and his grandchildren. And Marcia
was his rock and the love of his life.
He was a terrific guy with a big, great
heart. He was my best friend.
“When I think of Gene on Fridays,
I will smile and tell him I love him.
I will smile and think what a great
father, husband, friend he was. The
world needs more Gene Applebaums.”
Eugene Applebaum was the
beloved husband for 56 years of
Marcia Applebaum; cherished father
of Lisa Applebaum and Pamela
Applebaum (Gaal Karp); adoring Papa
of Mia and Sky Haddad, Rebecca and
Molly Applebaum Wyett. He is also
survived by Gaal’s son, Blayze Karp.
He was the dear brother of Leonard
(Beverly) Applebaum; brother-in-
law of Alice and Ronald Turett; and
devoted son of the late Joseph and
the late Minnie Applebaum. He is
also survived by nieces, nephews, and
devoted caregivers, Ken Smith and
Wojciech Kostrubiec.
Rabbis Harold Loss and Joseph
Krakoff officiated. Interment was
at Clover Hill Park Cemetery.
Arrangements by Ira Kaufman
Chapel. •