Joseph Harris Kravitz

Joseph Harris Kravitz, loving and beloved husband, father, grand and great grandfather, brother and friend, had a beautiful life of 94 years. His first marriage to Rae Haftel brought three children into the world and lots of fun, zany times with friends in the packed neighborhood of Mt. Airy, just outside Philadelphia. His second marriage to Joyce Feinstein brought him 46 years of a beautiful relationship filled with laughter, dancing, and the joys of shared families and nightly ice cream.

Joe was the “voice of reason” as a father. He was practical, calm in a crisis, respectful, and also knew how to be playful and a bit mischievous.

He walked and rode bikes with his daughters Carol and Susan until well into his 80’s and loved playing fantasy football with his son Michael and some of his grandchildren. He and stepson David teased each other relentlessly, enjoyed many laughs and shopping trips to “Joe’s Bargain Basement” which meant he could give Dave anything that didn’t fit him.

Born in the year of “The Crash”, he grew up in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the youngest of 5 children whose parents were first generation immigrants from Russia/Ukraine. He served in the U.S. army reserves in Germany after marrying Rae Haftel, spending 13 months there with her and their first child Carol.

His oldest sister Ruth by 14 years gave him his violin at age 12, that same instrument he played until he was 93. At his retirement age of 70, his birthday gift was a music stand, several music books, and some seed money for violin music lessons. After re-conditioning his childhood instrument, he took lessons from multiple teachers, and played in three different orchestras in Sarasota, Florida. In that span of over 20 years, his social network expanded to include musicians from age 6 to 90+.

Growing up alongside his father’s print shop guided his sales career in the printing industry. He had a penchant for telling jokes and loved to tell stories to anyone who would listen, whether family, friends, colleagues, or clients. And, you could say he taught his children and step children to laugh at our own jokes.

In his last days, he was given an abundance of love and care, in particular by his granddaughter Max, grandson Daniel, and daughter Susan. He spent his last hours surrounded by family and lots of music. Max played guitar and sang beautiful songs to him and Daniel set up the music from Joe’s music books that he played with his string orchestra, Strings Con Brio, through Spotify.

Joe’s passion for people, and for learning and playing music, as well as his sense of humor and appreciation for life’s simple pleasures, will always be remembered by those who loved him.

In his later years, Joe always like to say: “I’m doing the best with what I got” --- he sure did!

His imprint on family and friends is indelible and will be carried on in his honor.