Born in Newark to Polish immigrants Israel and Jenny, he was valedictorian of his Weequahic High School class and later studied civil engineering at M.I.T., with an interlude in the Navy serving at Guam during World War II.

He acted as president of the New Jersey Home Builders Association in 1965.

He was a major donor toTemple Beth Shalom in Livingston, New Jersey, M.I.T., and various Jewish and Zionist philanthropies.

He leaves behind four children, six grandchildren, and one great grandchild.