Norfolk—Sidney L. Nusbaum, II , 90, died Friday, Jan. 8, 2016 in his home at Harbors Edge after a courageous battle with cancer.
A Norfolk native he was the son of the late V.H. Nusbaum and Justine Lowenberg Nusbaum. Sid graduated from Maury High School, then served in the Army as a technician 4th grade at the headquarters battery, 33rd field artillery battalion, first division. He attended the University of Virginia on the G.I. Bill. Subsequently, he bought land, formed a corporation and built University Gardens Apartments in Charlottesville.
Sid married Faith Wilkoff on her graduation day from Smith College. In 1946 he helped start S.L. Nusbaum and Co. Insurance Agency, and in 1948 started Ewing, Nusbaum, and Hutcheson, Real Estate and General Insurance.
He and Faith moved to Youngstown, Ohio in 1952 where he affiliated with his father-in-law’s insurance firm. Twenty-Five years later, he sold the firm and returned to Norfolk. He and Faith restored the English basement of an 1845 historic landmark house on Bute Street and opened Family Tree Antiques. They sold 18th and 19th century American and English furniture and accessories and specialized in English Silver and Brass.
While in Youngstown, Sid was active in many organizations. He worked with the Boy Scouts, the Junior Chamber of Commerce, the Butler Institute of American Art’s Friends of American Art (president), Youngstown Symphony Society (board member), YMCA Volunteer Service Bureau (finance chairman), Citizen’s Committee of the Children’s Services Board (county finance chairman), Jewish Family and Children’s Services board (chairman), and member of the Inter-Faith Task Force for public assistance reform in the state of Ohio.
His affiliations with insurance organizations included the Youngstown Association of Insurance Agents (president) and the Ohio Association of Insurance Agents (trustee and chairman/member of various committees). He has been a trustee of the Hermitage Museum Foundation and has volunteered at the information desk at the Chrysler Museum. Sid and Faith traveled extensively. During the Youngstown years they made six Trans-Atlantic crossings by ship and traveled throughout Europe, North Africa, the Middle East, Asia, and Russia. Later buying trips for the shop took them to England every year.
Sid was a Masterpiece Society member of the Chrysler Museum of Art and a charter member of it’s Mowbray Arch Society. He was a member of the Hermitage Foundation Auxiliary and former Hermitage Foundation board member. He supported the Virginia Symphony Orchestra and WHRO Radio and TV. Sid is survived by his devoted daughter, Cynthia N. Katz and her husband, Stuart, who was like a son to him; his granddog, Penny; brother, Robert C. Nusbaum (Linda); cousin, Charles G. Nusbaum (Blanche); beloved nephews, cousins, their children, and grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his wife, Faith W. Nusbaum; brother, V.H. Nusbaum, Jr., his wife, Nancy and son, Alan, and cousin, Bertram S. Nusbaum, Jr. and wife, Lois.
A memorial service was held at Ohef Sholom Temple conducted by Rabbi Rosalin Mandelberg.
Memorial donations to the Chrysler Museum of Art, The Virginia Symphony Orchestra, The Hermitage Museum, WHRO, or a charity of the donor’s choice.