Sidney S. Weinhaus, passed away peacefully with family present at AVOW Hospice House in Naples, FL on November 15, 2015.

Cherished husband and best friend of Elinore Rae Weinhaus (nee Mariam) for 44 years; beloved father of Karen (Mont) Levy, Shelley (Jerald) Hochsztein, Gayle (Lawrence) Kenner, Barry (Lori) Gavril and David (Carla) Gavril; beloved grandfather of Daniel (Rachel) Weinhaus, Elizabeth (Leah) Goodlaxson-Levy, Rebecca Nelson, Joanna (Joseph) Kyger, Leslie Hochsztein, Jamie Gavril, Melanie Gavril, Jackson Gavril and Quinton Gavril; beloved great-grandfather of Alma Weinhaus and Joey Kyger; brother of Sheldon (Evonne) Weinhaus and the late Robert (Jane) Weinhaus.

Sidney was born on December 26, 1924 in Jersey City, NJ to David and Edith Weinhaus. The family moved to St. Louis, where Sidney graduated from Soldan High School in 1942, after which he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and serviced in the Pacific theater during WWII.

After a brief stint at Washington University in St. Louis, Sidney left in 1947 for New York where he joined a group called Arms for Israel. Sidney was also a proud member of MACHAL – “volunteers from abroad” – a group that consisted of about 3,500 men and women from over 40 countries and of varied social and religious backgrounds who volunteered for Israel in the War of 1948. After 1948, Sidney served in the Israeli navy, joining the crew of a reconditioned former US subchaser, renamed the Noga.

Sidney remained in Israel for several years after statehood, one of a cooperative group of farmers raising crops, cattle and sheep. In 1955, he returned to the United States. He became a real estate developer, building homes, apartments and commercial buildings. He was one of the first to see the potential for condominium development at the Lake of the Ozarks. He also developed oil wells in southeast Illinois.

Sidney and Elinore traveled extensively prior to and in their retirement years before settling in Marco Island, FL, where they enjoyed the sunshine and beauty of the area. They formed a “family of friends” there and were both active in the Jewish Congregation of Marco Island. Sidney earned the title of “Mister Bonanza” for his enthusiastic sale of tickets at the weekly bingo fundraising events that contributed to the congregation’s revenue.

Sidney loved his family, his friends and the two countries that figured so prominently in his life, the United States of America and the State of Israel.

A special thank you to AVOW Hospice of Naples, FL and to Just Like Family and their dedicated staff and caregivers.

Funeral service Thursday, November 19th, 1 PM at BERGER MEMORIAL CHAPEL, 9430 Olive Boulevard, 63132. No visitation prior to the service. Interment follows at Chesed Shel Emeth Cemetery, 650 White Road, 63017. Memorial contributions may be made to the Harvey Kornblum Jewish Food Pantry, 10950 Schuetz Road, 63146 or to the Jewish Congregation of Marco Island, 991 Winterberry, Marco Island, FL 34145, or to a charity of your choice. Please visit bergermemorialchapel.com for more information.