Edwin A. Lakin, 94, of Wyomissing, passed away on Wednesday, August 8, 2018 in his home. He was predeceased by his first wife, Reba (Boscov) Lakin and his second wife Alma (Natanblut) Lakin. Born in Brooklyn, NY, he was the son of the late Louis and Rose (Kronick) Lakin.
Along with his partner, Albert Boscov, they built the Boscov’s Department Store chain into one of the largest family-owned retailers in America, where he served as President. Together, they grew the company to include stores in five states, employing more than 5000 co-workers and serving all its local communities.
He was a graduate of Brooklyn College, which was interrupted by his service in the U.S. Army Air Corps, during World War II, serving in the Philippines. He went on to graduate studies at New York University.
He moved his young family to Reading, PA in 1954. He was known for his dry sense of humor, his ability to listen to people from all walks of life, as well as, his business acumen.
He was a long-time member of Kesher Zion Synagogue and more recently, the Chabad of Reading and Berks, where his father-in-law was a founder. He was past president of the Reading and Berks Jewish Community Center and the Jewish Federation of Reading and Berks County, where he and Alma were instrumental in building the former JCC building and an annual campaign of $1 million a year for ten consecutive years, one of the largest per-capita funds in the nation.
He was also active on numerous advisory boards in Reading and Berks County, including the Reading Hospital, as well as, a long-time member of the National Retail Federation. He and Alma were successful fundraisers for local organizations such as Albright College, United Way affiliated organizations and the National Holocaust Center in Washington, D.C.
Edwin is survived by his three sons, Kenneth S. husband of Maralyn S. of Exeter, Peter D. husband of Dawn Witzel of Wayne, Steven Goldstein husband of Nancy G. of Ann Arbor, MI and one daughter, Maralyn Goldstein of Tuscon, AZ.
Eds greatest joy was his seven grandchildren, Riesa, Emily, Nicole, Jeremy, Aaron, Jonathan and Heather; and four great-grandchildren, Jordyn, Leah, Levi and Zeke.
A service will be held, Thursday, August 9, 2018 at 3:00 p.m. in Lutz Funeral Home, Inc., 2100 Perkiomen Avenue, Reading. Internment will be at Kesher Zion Cemetery, Cumru Township. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Jewish Federation of Reading, 1100 Berkshire Blvd., #125, Wyomissing PA 19610 or to the Lakin Preschool, also at the Federation. For on-line condolences, please visit www.LutzFuneralHome.com
Along with his partner, Albert Boscov, they built the Boscov’s Department Store chain into one of the largest family-owned retailers in America, where he served as President. Together, they grew the company to include stores in five states, employing more than 5000 co-workers and serving all its local communities.
He was a graduate of Brooklyn College, which was interrupted by his service in the U.S. Army Air Corps, during World War II, serving in the Philippines. He went on to graduate studies at New York University.
He moved his young family to Reading, PA in 1954. He was known for his dry sense of humor, his ability to listen to people from all walks of life, as well as, his business acumen.
He was a long-time member of Kesher Zion Synagogue and more recently, the Chabad of Reading and Berks, where his father-in-law was a founder. He was past president of the Reading and Berks Jewish Community Center and the Jewish Federation of Reading and Berks County, where he and Alma were instrumental in building the former JCC building and an annual campaign of $1 million a year for ten consecutive years, one of the largest per-capita funds in the nation.
He was also active on numerous advisory boards in Reading and Berks County, including the Reading Hospital, as well as, a long-time member of the National Retail Federation. He and Alma were successful fundraisers for local organizations such as Albright College, United Way affiliated organizations and the National Holocaust Center in Washington, D.C.
Edwin is survived by his three sons, Kenneth S. husband of Maralyn S. of Exeter, Peter D. husband of Dawn Witzel of Wayne, Steven Goldstein husband of Nancy G. of Ann Arbor, MI and one daughter, Maralyn Goldstein of Tuscon, AZ.
Eds greatest joy was his seven grandchildren, Riesa, Emily, Nicole, Jeremy, Aaron, Jonathan and Heather; and four great-grandchildren, Jordyn, Leah, Levi and Zeke.
A service will be held, Thursday, August 9, 2018 at 3:00 p.m. in Lutz Funeral Home, Inc., 2100 Perkiomen Avenue, Reading. Internment will be at Kesher Zion Cemetery, Cumru Township. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Jewish Federation of Reading, 1100 Berkshire Blvd., #125, Wyomissing PA 19610 or to the Lakin Preschool, also at the Federation. For on-line condolences, please visit www.LutzFuneralHome.com
Service Schedule
Past Services
Service Information
Lutz Funeral Home, Inc.
Guestbook
Visits: 123
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the
Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors