Joel George Kaplan

Joel George Kaplan, of New Bern, NC, passed away suddenly on March 24, 2019, while taking part in a much-loved endeavor: helping to select foreign films to be shown at Craven Community College this school year.

He is survived by his wife of 29 years, Nancy Salway-Kaplan; two daughters, Meg Roberta Kaplan-Noach (Plantation, FL) and Lee Sharyn Kaplan (Chicago, IL & Pembroke Pines, FL); sister Anita Verbeke (Long Island, NY) and former wife Arlene Franzblau Kaplan (Pembroke Pines, FL); and extended family. He is pre-deceased by Samuel & Tessie Franzblau and son Robert. Sam was the adult father in Joel’s life, having lost his own father as a teenager and Robert was the brother he didn't have in his own immediate family.

Born January 16, 1935, in Floral Park, NY, to Max and Betty Kaplan, he lived with his family in Merrick and Freeport, Long Island, NY, until moving to Plymouth, FL, in 1946, and then onto Orlando, FL, in 1952. Joel was part of the last graduating class of Orlando High School in 1952.

Joel was a cat lover. As a child he discovered playing clarinet was not a labor of love, while selling golf balls that landed in the small brook behind his home back to their owners who had just teed them off proved to be a profitable one. In his teens he loved his pet squirrel and was an excellent, avid land and underwater photographer with his own darkroom.

He earned a private pilot’s license in the 1960s. He became a well-seasoned scuba diver and lobster catcher and had an affinity for foreign sports cars. Joel was a member of Temple Israel of Miramar, FL, and a member of the Jewish War Veterans Post 177. Joel graduated from Stetson University with a Degree in Psychology and joined the U.S. Army, serving honorably.

His days always started with a thorough reading of the newspaper; he was well-read and interested in everything and anything and often moved to writing to give his advice on all sorts of topics.

Joel made Miramar, FL, his home with first wife Arlene and daughters Meg and Lee.

Joel Kaplan married his beloved wife Nancy Salway-Kaplan in December 1989 and relocated to New Bern, NC, in 2006. Joel was a very important part of the New Bern and Craven County Community. He adored his wife, life and new home in New Bern, NC. Joel was intimately involved in many facets of his new found home and life. Joel volunteered actively with the Vietnam era aircraft “Ponderous Polly,” a C-123K Provider plane that was the last plane of its kind to make it out of Vietnam, working tirelessly with his friend John Curran to get the plane to fly once again.

He volunteered teaching in the adult enrichment program at Craven Community College and was a key volunteer member of the international film selection committee through Craven Community College.

As per Joel’s wishes, there will be no services or burial.