Nathanson, Albert

1909 - 1999  (90 years)

• Name	Nathanson, Albert  [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12]
  Born	25 May 1909	Long Branch, Monmouth, New Jersey, USA   [1, 2, 5, 8, 13]
  Gender	Male
  Alt. Birth	Abt 1910  [7]
  	New Jersey
  Died	8 Jun 1999	Fort Lauderdale, Broward, Florida, USA   [1, 2, 4, 6, 11, 13]
  Buried	Mount Sinai Memorial Park, Miami, Miami-Dade, Florida, USA   [13]
  Person ID	I15026	Our Family
  Last Modified	16 Jan 2024

  
  

  Family	Weinstein, Selma Rena,   b. 11 Jul 1914, New York, New York, New York, USA ,   d. 9 Jun 1992, Hollywood, Broward, Florida, USA  (Age 77 years)
  Married	17 Jan 1938	Brooklyn, Kings, New York, USA   [14, 15]
  Children	+ 1. Nathanson, William Melvin + 2. Nathanson, Betsy Phyllis
  Last Modified	16 Jan 2024
  Family ID	F5444	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

• Notes

  Albert Nathanson, a longtime Hollywood businessman who played a role in the the development of the city, died Tuesday from Alzheimer's disease at Sunrise Rehabilitation Center and Nursing Home in Fort Lauderdale. He was 90. Born in Long Branch, N.J., on May 25, 1909, Nathanson came to adulthood during the Great Depression in the 1930s. With difficulty in finding work came desperation, and Nathanson, then in his early 20s, was in the midst of it. While trying to find a job, he told the manager of Silverod's, a drugstore on Flatbush Avenue in Brooklyn, he would work for nothing until he proved himself. He rose to become manager of the drugstore, and - at five-foot three - the best player on the company's basketball team. In 1937 he met Selma Weinstein, whom he would later marry. He was promoted a year later, but Nathanson and his new wife decided to move to Fort Lauderdale in 1939 and open a handbag store on Andrews Avenue. With the advent of World War II, tourism in the area declined, and Nathanson closed the store and returned to Brooklyn with his family, working in the Brooklyn Navy Yard as a riveter repairing ships. After the war, Nathanson moved to Long Branch, N.J., and then back to Fort Lauderdale in 1947 where he joined his father-in-law, Max Weinstein, a building contractor, building duplexes and homes in Victoria Park. Since the properties were selling fast enough, in 1948, Nathanson and his wife decided to open the Betsy and Billy Children's department store at 1939 Hollywood Blvd., selling furniture and accessories, competing with four similar stores in the area. ''The store wasn't doing well and [he] started bringing in children's clothes and closed [out] the furniture aspect of the business.'' said his son, William Nathanson, who lives in Pembroke Pines and is owner of Polo Grounds, a sports-card business. ''He did so well that he was able to buy the property next door, expanding the store.'' He opened a shoe and toy department in the store, making the business into a fully outfitted store for children. For 40 years, Billy and Betsy thrived until it closed it doors for the last time on November 10, 1988. A real-estate agency and medical supplies store now occupy the site, but the name of the store still remains at the entryway, according to his son. In 1954 Nathanson received the first lifetime membership of the Hollywood Optimist Club, an organization that assists the needy. That same year he donated all the equipment to the Hollywood Little League team, the only one in the city then. From 1957 to 1988, Nathanson took an active role in both the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, distributing equipment to them. In 1965, according to William Nathanson, his father donated all the uniforms to the Seminole Indians to start their Troop No. 102 and was given a chief's headdress. As a member of the Hollywood Jewish community, Nathanson became instrumental in the formation of Temple Sinai of Hollywood, first at 13th and Johnson streets, now at 1400 N. 46th Ave. in Hollywood. In addition to his son, Nathanson is survived by brother David Nathanson of Boca Raton and sister Edna Chapman of Miami Beach. A service will be conducted at noon today at Levitt-Weinstein Beth David Chapel in Hollywood, followed by interment at Mount Sinai Cemetery in Opa-locka. -locka.

  
  

• Sources

  [S21] U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014, Ancestry.com, (Name: Ancestry.com Operations Inc;), Number: 077-09-2192; Issue State: New York; Issue Date: Before 1951. [S612] U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-Current, Ancestry.com, (Name: Name: Ancestry.com Operations Inc; Location: Provo, UT, USA; Date: 2011;;), Number: 077-09-2192; Issue State: New York; Issue Date: Before 1951. Record for Albert Nathanson [S727] Obituary for Selma Nathanson, Miami Herald, The (FL) - Friday, June 12, 1992. Deceased Name: SELMA NATHANSON, RETIRED CLOTHING STORE OWNER Every Christmas, members of the Optimist Club in Hollywood would take orphans to the Betsy and Billy Children's Department Store in downtown Hollywood. They'd leave with new clothes for the children. Selma and Albert Nathanson, the store's owners, just wanted to help. "Her character and personality inspired not only her children, but the community," Rabbi David Shapiro said of Selma Nathanson, who died Tuesday of a heart attack. She was 77. Selma Rena Nathanson and her husband moved to Fort Lauderdale in 1939 from their hometown of Elizabeth, N.J., and opened Vogue Gifts, an accessory store at 202 S. Andrews Ave., said Betsy Rappaport, the Nathansons' daughter. When World War II broke out, they moved to Brooklyn, where Albert Nathanson got a job in the defense industry. In 1947, they returned to Fort Lauderdale, where Albert worked with his father, building houses, Rappaport said. The following year, they moved to [S202] Obituary for Albert Nathanson, Sun Sentinel, 9 jun 1999. NATHANSON - Albert, 90, of Hollywood, a S. Florida resident since 1939. Passed away June 8, 1999. Beloved husband of the late Selma. Loving Father of Bill -(Michelle) Nathanson and the late Betsy -Rappaport. Dear brother of David Nathanson and Edna Chapman. Cherished grandfather of Heidi, Edward, Josh & Jeff. Adored great grandfather of Reed, Sloan, Betsy, Brooke & Craig. Albert founded The Betsy & Billy Childrens Department Store in 1948 in downtown Hollywood where he was proudly active in promoting the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts. He was a founding member of Temple Sinai of Hollywood, and was the first lifetime member of the Hollywood Optomist Club. Chapel Services June 10, 1999, 12 noon at LEVITTWEINSTEIN BETH DAVID CHAPEL, 3201 NW 72 Av, Hollywood, 800-343-5400 with interment to follow at Mt. Sinai Cemetery. [S195] 1940 United States Federal Census, Ancestry.com, (Name: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc.;), Year: 1940; Census Place: Fort Lauderdale, Broward, Florida; Roll: T627_576; Page: 4A; Enumeration District: 6-20. 1940 United States Federal Census [S202] Obituary for Albert Nathanson, Sun Sentinel, 9 jun 1999. NATHANSON - Albert, 90, of Hollywood, a S. Florida resident since 1939. Passed away June 8, 1999. Beloved husband of the late Selma. Loving Father of Bill -(Michelle) Nathanson and the late Betsy -Rappaport. Dear brother of David Nathanson and Edna Chapman. Cherished grandfather of Heidi, Edward, Josh & Jeff. Adored great grandfather of Reed, Sloan, Betsy, Brooke & Craig. Albert founded The Betsy & Billy Childrens Department Store in 1948 in downtown Hollywood where he was proudly active in promoting the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts. He was a founding member of Temple Sinai of Hollywood, and was the first lifetime member of the Hollywood Optomist Club. Chapel Services June 10, 1999, 12 noon at LEVITTWEINSTEIN BETH DAVID CHAPEL, 3201 NW 72 Av, Hollywood, 800-343-5400 with interment to follow at Mt. Sinai Cemetery. [S726] 1940 United States Federal Census, Ancestry.com, (Name: Name: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc.; Location: Provo, UT, USA; Date: 2012;;), Year: 1940; Census Place: Fort Lauderdale, Broward, Florida; Roll: T627_576; Page: 4A; Enumeration District: 6-20. Record for Albert Nathenson [S97] U.S. WWII Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947, Ancestry.com, (Name: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc.;), The National Archives in St. Louis, Missouri; St. Louis, Missouri; Draft Registration Cards for Florida, 10/16/1940 - 03/31/1947; Record Group: 147, Records of the Selective Service System; Box: 326. U.S. WWII Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947 [S22] U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007, Ancestry.com, (Name: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc.;). [S727] Obituary for Selma Nathanson, Miami Herald, The (FL) - Friday, June 12, 1992. Deceased Name: SELMA NATHANSON, RETIRED CLOTHING STORE OWNER Every Christmas, members of the Optimist Club in Hollywood would take orphans to the Betsy and Billy Children's Department Store in downtown Hollywood. They'd leave with new clothes for the children. Selma and Albert Nathanson, the store's owners, just wanted to help. "Her character and personality inspired not only her children, but the community," Rabbi David Shapiro said of Selma Nathanson, who died Tuesday of a heart attack. She was 77. Selma Rena Nathanson and her husband moved to Fort Lauderdale in 1939 from their hometown of Elizabeth, N.J., and opened Vogue Gifts, an accessory store at 202 S. Andrews Ave., said Betsy Rappaport, the Nathansons' daughter. When World War II broke out, they moved to Brooklyn, where Albert Nathanson got a job in the defense industry. In 1947, they returned to Fort Lauderdale, where Albert worked with his father, building houses, Rappaport said. The following year, they moved to Hollywood and opened the children's store. They also became pioneer members of Temple Sinai in Hollywood, Shapiro said. The Nathansons sold their store and their Hollywood house and moved to Plantation a couple of years ago. One of Selma Nathanson's loves was orchids. She grew many orchids and other plants in her back yard, using the orchids to decorate the house at her children's weddings, Rappaport said. Nathanson's needlework, pillows and crocheted handicrafts filled the house, she said. "She could do anything," Rappaport said. Besides her daughter, who lives in Dunwoody, Ga., Nathanson is survived by her husband, Albert; a son, Bill, of Plantation; two sisters, Ruth Scherman and Irma Walfish of Hollywood; a brother, Herbert Weinstein, of Hollywood; four grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. Levitt-Weinstein Beth David Funeral Home handled funeral arrangements. [S202] Obituary for Albert Nathanson, Sun Sentinel, 9 jun 1999. NATHANSON - Albert, 90, of Hollywood, a S. Florida resident since 1939. Passed away June 8, 1999. Beloved husband of the late Selma. Loving Father of Bill -(Michelle) Nathanson and the late Betsy -Rappaport. Dear brother of David Nathanson and Edna Chapman. Cherished grandfather of Heidi, Edward, Josh & Jeff. Adored great grandfather of Reed, Sloan, Betsy, Brooke & Craig. Albert founded The Betsy & Billy Childrens Department Store in 1948 in downtown Hollywood where he was proudly active in promoting the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts. He was a founding member of Temple Sinai of Hollywood, and was the first lifetime member of the Hollywood Optomist Club. Chapel Services June 10, 1999, 12 noon at LEVITTWEINSTEIN BETH DAVID CHAPEL, 3201 NW 72 Av, Hollywood, 800-343-5400 with interment to follow at Mt. Sinai Cemetery. [S19] New York City, Marriage Indexes, 1907-1995, Ancestry.com, (Name: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc.;), New York City Municipal Archives; New York, New York; Borough: Brooklyn. New York City, Marriage Indexes, 1907-1995 [S15] Obituary, for Albert. [S72] New York Marriage License Index. [S19] New York City, Marriage Indexes, 1907-1995, Ancestry.com, (Name: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc.;), New York City Municipal Archives; New York, New York; Borough: Brooklyn. New York City, Marriage Indexes, 1907-1995