Mr. Donald Lilenfeld

Donald (“Don”) Lilenfeld passed peacefully in his sleep on June 26, 2013 after a three month battle with lung cancer. He was born on June 2, 1934, making him 79 at his death. Don was born in Brooklyn, New York to Charles and Dora Lilenfeld. He is preceded in death by his parents, sister, Lyn Macklowsky and brother, Howard Lilenfeld. Don is survived by his loving wife, Barbara Lilenfeld, who he married in 1990 in Reno, Nevada. He is also survived by his children, David Lilenfeld and Lisa Lilenfeld-Riso, by Barbara’s children, Ken Markovits and Lisa Markovits Kohn and by grandchildren Ariel Kohn, Alana Riso, Hannah Riso, Alec Riso, Pace Lilenfeld, Rafael Kohn and Weston Donald Lilenfeld. Don served in the U.S. Army from 1954 through 1956. After his military service, he earned a bachelor’s degree from Brooklyn College and went on to work for the American Management Association and the New York City Metropolitan Transit Authority, among others. A life-long resident of New York City, Don moved to Asheville with his wife Barbara after Don retired from the Transit Authority in 1997. In Asheville, Don became an active member of the community. He was a member of the Buncombe County Transportation Advisory Board, Aging Coordinating Consortium, Alternate Delegate to the Senior Tarheel Legislature, Asheville Jewish Community Center, Beth Israel Synagogue and Council on Aging of Buncombe County. He worked as precinct captain for County elections and was a lecturer at Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College. Don also entertained children (and adults) as a clown and enjoyed twisting balloons into animal and other shapes. Don stated regularly that his primary objective each day was to make people smile, which he did with great success. Everyone who knew Don knew that his primary joy in life was making others happy through jokes, dancing, singing and puns he wrote and drew. Don also greatly enjoyed deep conversations on a range of challenging topics, for example, personal liberties, domestic and foreign affairs and religion. In an act of selflessness which was routine for Don, he gifted his body to the Duke University School of Medicine for study. A memorial service will be held on Sunday, July 14, at 4:00 p.m. at the pond house near the entrance to Eastmoor subdivision (Moffitt Road, left onto Eastmoor Drive). Donations may be made to Brother Wolf Animal Rescue or Asheville Humane Society. www.morrisfamilyfuneralhome.com

Tributes

Mr. Donald Lilenfeld

June 2, 1934 - June 26, 2013