Obituary of Franklin J. Steinhardt
Franklin J. Steinhardt of Albany, NY died on Thursday, December 13, 2018 at the Hospice Inn at St. Peter’s Hospital in Albany. Franklin was born in Albany and was the son of the late J. Milton and Evelyn Steinhardt, and was a lifelong resident of the area. He was a graduate of the Milne School and the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, and served in the armed forces during World War II. He was president of J.M. Steinhardts, Inc; the heating air conditioning and automotive supply firm founded by his father. After retiring from that business, he became a real estate broker, and was associated with RLF Realty.
He was a member of Congregation Beth Emeth. In 1947, with the support of Rabbi Samuel Wolk, he organized the Temple League to serve the social and spiritual needs of the immediate post war generation. It quickly became a virbrant part of Beth Emeth activities, and in 1971 he was president of the Beth Emeth Brotherhood. Frank was also a member and past president of B’nai Sholom Reform Congregation.
He was a founder, past president and longtime board member of Albany Civic Theater, past president of the Albany League of Arts, and a founding member of Theater Voices. Frank said that he played many roles in Community Theater, but none on stage He was also past president of the Capital District Oil Heat Association, and a longtime board member of the Central Avenue Civic and Merchants Association.
He is survived by his wife, Ruby Rosenberg Steinhardt, his son, John-Jay Steinhardt of Albany, and grandson, Sam Steinhardt of Indianapolis, stepson Jerry Marenberg and his wife Anne Marie, and granddaughters Sydney and Morgan Marenburg, of McLean, Virginia, stepdaughters Emily Marenburg of Highladnd, NY and a sister, Miriam Soffer of Albany.
Services at Congregation Beth Emeth 100 Academy Road in Albany on Monday, December 17, 2018 at 2pm. Those wishing to make memorial donations may send them to Congregation Beth Emeth 100 Academy Road, Albany, NY; 12208 or B’nai Sholom Reform Congregation, 420 Whitehall Road, Albany, N.Y.12208 or a charity of their choice. Interment will be in the Beth Emeth Cemetery in Loudonville, NY
