Simon Benson Offit, a retired businessman, philanthropist and patron of the arts, passed away on Thursday, Oct. 30. The Baltimore native and Pompano Beach, Florida, resident was 94.
“The Officers, Board of Trustees and Staff of Beth El Congregation express a deep sense of loss on the passing of our member, Simon Benson Offit,” posted the Pikesville synagogue.
A graduate of Loyola College (now Loyola University Maryland), Offit studied at Johns Hopkins University before joining his family-owned business, the Aetna Shirt Corp., a menswear manufacturing company founded in 1916 by his father, Morris A. Offit.
Over the years, Simon Offit worked his way up to become Aetna’s head of sales, publicity and promotion in New York City.
In 1988, he moved to West Palm Beach, Florida, and became deeply immersed in the arts and cultural community there.
“Simon’s love of the arts began in childhood and remained a defining part of his life,” his family posted on the website of Sol Levinson & Bros. “Curious and adventurous by nature, he was an avid traveler who especially cherished spending summers in Italy. He and his partner, Peter, also enjoyed extended vacations in southern California and other destinations.”
In addition, Offit was a committed and generous philanthropist and lay leader in the Palm Beach area. Among the arts and educational organizations that he offered his leadership and support were the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts, the Dreyfoos Schools for the Arts and of the School of the Arts Foundation.
He also served as president of the Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens, co-chair of the Men’s Committee of the Elizabeth Norton Society of the Norton Museum of Art, and chairman of the Palm Beach Division of the Guild for the Blind.
“Uncle Simon was truly one-of-a-kind. He had impeccable social decorum (much like his sister Ethel), was always beautifully dressed, and could engage anyone and everyone,” wrote his great-niece, Rachel Merritt of Los Angeles. “But more than anything, he made me laugh with his unexpected wit, mischievousness and commentary. He also held family very dearly — always making sure to call or text and visit whenever he was in town. Whether it was lunch at a swanky spot by the beach or just a simple deli, visits with Uncle Simon were always warm and entertaining.”
Offit is survived by his partner of many years, Peter Cowan; his nieces and nephews, Brian (Caren) Meritt, Bonnie (Robert) Garonzik, Joy (Steven) Sibel, Alan Jacobs and Carl (Janet) Jacobs; his niece-in-law, Adele Meritt; and many great-nieces and great-nephews.
He was predeceased by his parents, Lena Levy Offit and Morris A. Offit; siblings, Ethel (Nat) Jacobs, Jean (Meyer) Meritt and Howard (JoanBette) Offit; and niece and nephews, Paul B. Meritt, Robin Offit and Robert Seff Offit.
Services will be held on Sunday, Nov. 2, at 12:30 p.m. at Sol Levinson’s Chapel, 8900 Reisterstown Road in Pikesville. Interment will be at Beth El Memorial Park, 9633 Liberty Road in Randallstown.
Contributions in Simon Offit’s memory may be sent to Alexander W. Dreyfoos School of the Arts Foundation, 501 S. Sapodilla Avenue, West Palm Beach, Florida 33401.
The family will be in mourning at 3607 Michelle Way in Pikesville.
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