In Loving Memory of Alvin H. Greenwald

Alvin Herbert Greenwald died Friday afternoon in Scranton at the age of 94. He and his late wife, the former Shirley Friedman, who passed away on August 24 had celebrated their 70^th wedding anniversary on March 24, 2016.

Born in Wilkes-Barre on April 16^th, 1922, Alvin was the son of the late Morris and Yetta Goodman Greenwald. He was a graduate of Coughlin High School in Wilkes- Barre and the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Business.

In 1942, Alvin enlisted in the United States Army and served in the Medical Administrative Corps. While in active duty in Europe during World War II, he was promoted to Captain, and was a platoon commander in the Medical Ambulance Company.  More recently, in 2010, Alvin spoke to the Royal Warriors Battalion about his wartime experience at the “When Humanity Fails” exhibit 

Alvin began his professional career in the oil business at Tulsa Petroleum and eventually started his own business, Oklahoma Oil Company. The company was known for pioneering a number of innovative home heating and other oil services to homeowners and businesses and was recognized across Lackawanna County for its tremendous customer experience.

Within Lackawanna County, Alvin was active in various Jewish-sponsored community and civic organizations. He was a former president of the Scranton Jewish Community Center and of the Scranton-Lackawanna Jewish Federation. He also served as division chairman for the Lackawanna United Fund campaign. Alvin and Shirley were lifelong members and active participants in Temple Israel, Scranton. In 1966, Alvin was elected to a four-year term as a Democratic City Councilman in Scranton, which he served with a passion for the community and its people. 

Alvin was a devoted family man, a lively political debater, and a lover of history, the arts, music and crossword puzzles.  He had a most generous spirit.  He and his wife Shirley were known by the family for their prowess on the dance floor and undying affection for one another.

Alvin was a loving and supportive husband, father, brother, uncle, grandfather and great-grandfather who will be missed by all who loved him.

Surviving are two daughters, Carol G Mazmanian and her husband Brian, Newton, MA, and Barbara Bock, New York City, four grandsons, Daniel Mazmanian and his wife Melissa Tooley, Washington DC, Erik Mazmanian and his wife Nicole Staple, Chicago IL, Jonathan Bock, Brooklyn NY, and Matthew Bock, Winston-Salem NC and a great-granddaughter Kira Mazmanian. Alvin was preceded in death by his sister Selma Speizman and two brothers, Sidney and Jerry.

A graveside funeral service will be held today, September 18^th at 12pm in the Temple Israel Cemetery, 200 block of West Warren Street, Dunmore, led by Rabbi Dovid Saks. Shiva will be held at the Jewish Home of Eastern Pennsylvania, 1101 Vine St, Scranton following today’s service, from 1:30pm to 4pm and on Monday from 11am to 1pm. 

Memorial contributions may be sent to Temple Israel, 918 East Gibson Street, Scranton, PA, 18510, or the Jewish Community Center, 606 Jefferson Avenue, Scranton, PA, 18510.