Harry Weil
From Uri Taenzer
Dear Family of Harry Weil,
My dear wife Marlena and I met Harry and his delightful wife, Annie, in 2011 in Hohenems, Austria at a special celebration at the Jewish Museum Hohenems, an extraordinary museum which they most generously supported in so many ways. The following is an excerpt from an article I wrote for "In Touch", the newsletter of the American Friends of the Jewish Museum:
HURRAY FOR HARRY
(I left my heart in Hohenems)
"AFJMH Trustee, Harry Weil of Albuquerque, New Mexico was only eight in 1939 when his family were the last Jews to escape Hohenems to Switzerland. On the evening of Saturday, July 2, 2011, Harry, still spry at 79, captivated a rapt audience of over 500 enthusiastic celebrants attending the 20th birthday celebration of the JMH in the brand new “Loewensaal” located across from the palace. His brief, yet deeply touching presentation, was delivered extemporaneously, in German. A PowerPoint display of photos of Harry as a child, of his elegant parents, of him in Navy and Air Force uniforms bedecked with medals and of Harry’s current
Southwestern lifestyle accompanied the talk. He spoke of childhood recollections, of the beautiful synagogue with its eternal flame and he also described the bitterness of the times, of the brown shirts, of Onkel Louis’ disappearance in spite of his desperate protests: “Ich habe nichts getan,” “I didn’t do anything.” Harry also touched on his extraordinary life and how gradually the reality of the Hohenems Jewish Museum renewed a fondness for his “heimat.” The closing words which moved the audience and yours truly were: 'I believe each person has two dwellings. A dwelling where one lives and a dwelling of the heart. For me, Hohenems is the Heimat of the heart.'"
This charming and erudite, devoted husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and compassionate man of all seasons will be sorely missed by all of us who were so fortunate and privileged to have come into his presence.
On behalf of all of us at AFJMH, we extend our deepest condolences to you, Annie and to your entire family and Harry's extended New Mexico community at this most difficult time.
Sincerely,
Uri Taenzer
taenzer@tesalaw.com
Secretary Treasurer of
American Friends, Jewish Museum Hohenems
From the Albuquerque Journal:
Harry Emanuel Weil
9/10/31 -- 6/8/16
Harry Weil of Los Ranchos, NM was born in Bregenez Austria 1931, eight years before the Anschluss (German invasion). He came to the United States with his mother Anglina Tavonatti and father, musician Harry Weil of Hohenems, Austria, as refugees.
After embarking on Elise Island, the Weil family soon found a sponsorship with the University of Illinois and Harry and his parents established a new life in Chicago. Harry graduated from Hyde Park High School and joined the United States Navy at the age of 17.
Harry savored a proud military career which included being an active member of the Navy, Air Force and The French Foreign Legion. After military retirement, Harry settled down in Albuquerque and started a family. He was employed by the Albuquerque National Bank and later became a successful tax accountant, founding Liewbock and Associates of Los Ranchos de Albuquerque, New Mexico.
In 1983, Harry married Marita Ann Johnston and, along with their two children, made Albuquerque's North Valley their home. Harry was strong in body, in spirit and passion; he never missed a single opportunity to laugh. He had a zest for life and lived every day to its fullest.
Harry is survived by: daughter Karen Loftus and her husband Steve of Albuquerque; daughter Janet Davis and her husband Steve of Albuquerque; son Mark Weil and wife, Elizabeth of Albuquerque; daughter Marita Ann Weil and son Harrison T. Weil both of Los Ranchos de Albuquerque. He was blessed with six grandchildren and one great granddaughter!
Harry's family and close friends will observe a private military ceremony with military honors in Santa Fe, New Mexico. The family is requesting that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to: The Presbyterian Hospice Foundation, PO Box 26666, Albuquerque NM 87125.
Published in Albuquerque Journal on June 26, 2016