Joseph George was born on October 17, 1919, in Brooklyn, New York. He was the youngest of 5 children born to Isadore and Katie Drucker Kirsch. Although he was named Joseph, to the family he was known as George.
At some point in the 1920s, his family moved to Paterson, New Jersey, where his father opened his own tailor shop. Below is George with his father in the shop which was located at 739 E. 24th Street in Paterson.
At nine years old in 1928, George poses with a book.
Here is George as a grammar school graduate.
He attended his older brother’s wedding in 1936. His brother, Sidney, married Lillian Rifkin.
Standing: George, Sidney, Bill, Helen, Paul Rothman
Seated: Katie, Lillian Rifkin, Isadore, Lillian
In the 1940 census, George was 21 years old and living at home along with siblings Bill and Helen. His brother,Sidney, and sister,Lillian, were married. He also showed that he completed two years of high school. There is no occupation listed for him. [1] He always had an outgoing personality and even acted in shows at the Paterson YW-YMHA.
Here is a family story that shows how he liked to have fun:
“Dad slept on the 3rd story of the 24st house. The house across the street from the tailor shop. He would climb down the fire escape at night to meet with his friend Smitty. Smitty’s father owned a car dealership, I think Buicks but not sure. They would take the keys from the store and drive around, but had no driver’s license. Dad would return home, climb back up the fire escape, and he would say knowbody ever missed him.”
His World War II draft card showed that he was 5′ 10″ tall and weighed 158 lbs. He had brown hair, grey eyes, and a light complexion. We also learn that he was working at Wright Aero Corporation located at 132 Beckwith Ave. in Paterson. [2]
George met Estelle Ultan at a wedding. They started dating and George applied for a marriage license on September 8, 1942. His bride was Estelle Francis Ultan. [3]
Even though he was married, he did enlist in the Army in February of 1943. However, he only served for about 5 months. [4]
George’s father, Isadore, died in 1947. In his will, he left Kirsch & Sons, a gas station and oil delivery business, to his three sons. [5] George drove the trucks to deliver the fuel oil to customers.
Because Isadore left the station to his three sons and did not leave anything to his daughters, whenever the brothers (Sid, Bill, and George) made an investment, they would also invest for their two sisters. A full share would go to each of them and a half share each to Lillian and Helen.
By 1950, George and Estelle and 2 sons and were living at 229 E. 25 Street in Paterson. [6]
George holding his son, Sandy
Estelle with her son, Sandy
We see George posing with his 2 sons on his way to work. It looks like he his holding his lunch.
George always enjoyed bike racing and in 1952 he won a prize in the Alpine Wheelman Sprint Championships held at Johnson Park in Paterson, NJ. [7]
In 1958, he moved his family to 5-03 Eugene Street, Fair Lawn.
His brother, Bill, also decided to move to Fair Lawn. George and Estelle invited Bill and Florence to live with them while their house was being built. They ended up living together for six months.
He and Estelle attended a bar mitzvah of their accountant and friend’s son. They are at the Kirsch family table.
Standing: Sid and Lillian (Lakey), Estelle and George, Abe Warren
Seated: Paul and Lillian Rothman, Katie, Florence and Bill, Helen
Here is another good family story from his son, Sandy, showing George’s personality:
“We had a shower head mounted on the outside wall in the backyard of the Paterson house. It was right near our peach tree and a fence separating our property from our neighbors. Here is the story. It was a summer night. Dad was taking a shower outside when Hilda Gelman, the neighbor next door, came to the fence to greet him. Mind you he was naked. They continued to talk although she did not recognize his present state.”
George became a mentor to Sidney’s two sons and introduced them to bike racing. According to George’s son, Sandy, they were part of the Century Road Bike club. On weekends they would meet at the Garden State shopping mall in Paramus to race and train.
In the 1960s, along with his 2 brothers, George bought concessions on the Boardwalk in Asbury Park. Read the blog “Asbury Park Memories” to learn more about that venture.
George was active in civic organizations and in 1970, he was the President of the Regal Cultural Art Society in Fair Lawn. [8] He was well-known throughout Fair Lawn.
In 1970, he and Estelle celebrated the 30th Wedding Anniversary at a surprise party given by their sons and daughter-in-law. [9]
He also served as President of the Fair Lawn Rotary Club. [10]
George enjoyed spending time with his grandsons, Jason and Steve.
It was a very proud moment when his younger grandson was Bar Mitzvahed. Three of his siblings (Bill, Helen and Lillian) were also there.
Standing: George’s grandson, Abe Warren, Bill and Florence, George,
Tara and Stan Rothman, George’s son, Sandy, and younger grandson
Seated: Helen Kirsch Warren, Lillian Kirsch Rothman, Estelle, Andrea
After George retired, he drove a Provst bus. According to his son, Sandy, he called the passengers his “seat covers”. Sandy also recalls:
“He ran his own lottery on the bus charging a quarter per game which was probably illegal I suspect. Mom was not happy about the whole bus thing getting in late, but he enjoyed the people and the perks. He got a free meal from the hotel and talking to other bus drivers in the waiting room. But the best story he told was his first and last trip to NYC. Upon approaching the Lincoln tunnel he found himself almost in a panic attack. He thought the bus was too large and would not fit in the tunnel entrance. Of course, he made it through but brought to a close his bus driving career.”
Estelle, grandson Steve, George, grandson Jason, son Sandy
George and Estelle eventually sold their Fair Lawn home and bought a house in Delray Beach, Florida. Aunt Estelle told me that it was in a really good location since the hospital was really close by. I guess that his how you think once you retire!
George brought his road bike with him and continued to ride until he was 75.
George died on October 16, 1998, in Delray Beach. [11] He was 78 years old. The doctor comcluded that there was an acute cerebral damage and he was on life support at the end.
Estelle died on October 22, 2005, in Deray Beach. [12]
Sources
- [1] 1940 Federal Census for Isadore Kirsch and family
- [2] WWII Draft Card for Joseph Kirsch
- [3] Joseph Kirsch Marriage License
- [4] Joseph Kirsch Army Record
- [5] Newspaper article about Isadore Kirsch’s Estate
- [6] 1950 Federal Censusfor Joseph Kirsch and Family
- [7] Alpine Champs Receive Prize
- [8] Kirsch Plans Year for Regal Society
- [9] Surprise 30th Anniversary Party
- [10] Document from family archives
- [11] Death Index for Joseph Kirsch
- [12] Death Index for Estelle Ultan Kirsch