Orley Solomon, 94, died on August 2, 2018. He leaves his loving wife of 69 years, Arlene Solomon; daughter Jan Solomon and her partner Joyce Vail; son Larry Solomon; granddaughters Meara Solomon and Rachel Solomon; grandson Isaac Solomon; great grandchildren Quinn and Peyton Bodle; great grandchildren Maggie and Nate Vail; and their parents Patrick and Ashley Vail; and sister Marsha Hirsh and her husband Sidney Hirsh.
Everyone loved Orley, his charm, his sense of humor, and his exuberance for life. He was born in Seattle, and also lived in Bellevue and Issaquah; he served in the US Army during World War II; and returned to Seattle to work in sales. Ben Bridge Jewelers hired Orley in 1960, beginning a successful career that spanned 50 years. He became Senior Vice President of Sales at the company, and in 1998, was awarded the American Gem Society’s most prestigious honor, the Shipley Award, for his lifelong contributions to the jewelry industry. He was a compassionate mentor who inspired countless Ben Bridge staff and their families. His book, Selling from A to Z, remains the cornerstone of the Ben Bridge training program even today.
Orley believed strongly in community service; he served as president of the Southcenter Merchants Association and the Southcenter Rotary; and was a volunteer speaker and trainer for the American Gem Society, encouraging more than one generation of jewelers.
Orley was known and loved by all as a part-time magician. While he was expert at performing tricks that amazed his children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and all his friends aged one month to 100, his true magic was in how he made those around him feel special and genuinely loved. He inspired all who knew him with his passion for life, his positive attitude, and his love for family and friends.
He loved sitting in the Maui sun with his wife Arlene, whom he cherished; spending time with lifelong friends in the poker club; playing tennis; being in any restaurant seat that had a view of the water; and amazing everyone he could with his Magic Squares puzzle. We will miss his smile, his charm, and his love for all of us.
A private entombment service for the family was held August 7, 2018 in the Home of Peace Mausoleum at Butterworth-Arthur A. Wright Funeral Chapel. A Celebration of Life will be held for Orley Solomon at 1 p.m. on Sunday, August 19th, at Timber Ridge at Talus, 100-Timber Ridge Way NW, Issaquah, WA 98027.
All are welcome to sign the online guestbook below.
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