Obituary of Sylvan Raab

Samuel Sylvan Raab, 90, of Albany New York, passed away peacefully at his home in Delray Beach, Florida on April 18, 2011 after a long illness. Sylvan was the loving son of the late Harry Allen Raab and Idabel Bittman Raab. He was predeceased by his wife of 59 years, Shirley Dembo Raab in 2006 and son Harry Allen Raab II in 1997, and his sister Rita Raab Berger in 1979. He is survived by his daughter Susan J. Raab (Robert S. Blake) of Germantown, New York and by his sister Beatrice Raab Greenberg (Sol Greenberg), sister and brother-in-law Joann and Don Davidoff, brother in law Jason Rice, his grandchildren David Raab, Amy Raab, Caroline Holsapple, Nicholas Holsapple, and Elizabeth Raab, great-grandson Zachary Raab, as well as nieces and nephews. Sylvan graduated from the Albany Boys Academy, and Sienna College. He served as a Marine in WWII. He was a self-employed businessman had the good fortune to retire at an early age. In retirement, he immersed himself in family genealogy, a daily, lifelong tennis game, and his interest in jazz. He gave his time freely and happily to family, friends and neighbors to whom he was the most loving, generous, and caring person. Sylvan was also a member of Congregation Beth Emeth in Albany and was Past President of their brotherhood Services at the Mendleson Chapel, located on the grounds of the Beth Emeth Cemetery on Turner Lane in Loudonville, NY on Friday May 6, 2011 at 1:30pm. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend. The family wishes acknowledge the wonderful caregivers who assisted him in his final years, especially Nancy Raab Hahn, who lovingly took care of his health, and his constant companion in recent years, Irene Cohan. Those wishing to remember Sylvan in a special way may make a memorial contribution to The Germantown Central School Tennis Court Fund, 123 Main Street, Germantown, New York 12526. Friends may call at the home of Sol and Bea Greenberg, 181 Lenox Avenue in Albany on Saturday and Sunday evenings, May 7 and 8 from 7-9pm