Gerald Enoch Maiman emigrated to Milwaukee from Poland to “live the American dream.”
He was born in Zamosc, Poland, and spent most of World War II in a refugee camp in Siberia. After the war, he was sent to a displaced persons camp in Austria. The family tried to return to their home in Poland, but were prevented by the Polish locals. In 1949, he and several family members made their way to Milwaukee.
Maiman, of Whitefish Bay, died May 26 at the age of 76.
He married Ida Greenspan in 1953 and the couple raised two sons in the a home they built on Milwaukee’s northwest side, where his brothers and sister lived. He worked downtown at The Boston Store for nearly 40 years.
According to his family, he was very active in his retirement. He volunteered at the Wisconsin Humane Society, having gained a love of animals while growing up in Poland and taking care of the family’s animals. He also went ballroom dancing, worked out three times a week and was learning French with the UWM Guild to add another language to the five he already spoke. And he was known for his “very green thumb.”
In addition, he enjoyed spending time with his family and friends.
He belonged to Congregation Emanu-El B’ne Jeshurun, Beth El Ner Tamid Synagogue and the Jewish Community Center.
He is survived by sons David (Annette) Maiman of Mequon and Mark Maiman of Milwaukee, and brother Irwin (Belle) Maiman of Bayside.
Cantor David Barash officiated at the funeral on May 28. Burial was in Beth Hamedrosh Hagodel Cemetery.
The family would appreciate memorials to the Israel Emergency Campaign, c/o of the Milwaukee Jewish Federation, or the Wisconsin Humane Society.
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