Amos Heilicher Obituary (2008) - St. Louis Park, Minnesota

of St. Louis Park passed away peacefully early Sunday morning, October 12, 2008, one month short of his 91st birthday, after a life rich with family and friends. Preceded in death by parents Menachem and Dora Heilicher, wife Celia Heilicher and brother, Daniel Heilicher. Born on the North Side, Amos mastered the art of deal-making early. “When you grow up poor”, he explained, “it tends to make you ambitious.” In later years he confessed, “I’ve never had a real job in my whole life” but countered with “I’m never going to retire.” He never did. Amos and his brother Daniel were pioneers of the record industry. Their shared history stretches back to the 1930’s, through their companies Heilicher Bros., Musicland and Pickwick International, one of the major record wholesalers in the US. For his significant impact on the music business, Amos was inducted into the Minnesota Music Hall of Fame. Other business ventures included American Amusement Arcades, Piccadilly Circus, Circus Pizza, Korner Plaza and Crossroads Deli. He was very involved in his earlier years with the Minneapolis Jewish Federation, Talmud Torah of Minneapolis and continued his philanthropy throughout his life, in support of Israel and countless other community causes including the Mt. Sinai Hospital Board of Governors and fundraising for the Mpls Symphony Orchestra. Most recently, he was recognized with his wife for the support of the now named, Amos and Celia Heilicher Minneapolis Jewish Day School. He was an avid collector and traveler. He enjoyed fishing, tennis, ice skating and boating and would often be found on his boat on Lake Minnetonka. He will be greatly missed by the family he was devoted to: children, Elissa Heilicher, Ira (Jackie) Heilicher; grandchildren, Marty (Tara) Kloner, Debra (Byron) Wieberdink, Melissa (Jason) Goeltz and Hannah Heilicher, great grandchildren, Andrew, Colin, Elijah, Dylan, Jackson, Aspen, Ella and sisters-in-law, Phyllis Heilicher and Helen Swatez. The family would like to gratefully acknowledge the constant care provided by Dr. Bill Rosenberg and Amos’ caregivers; Krista, Joyce, Marlene, Sara and Linda. Funeral services THURSDAY, October 16th 2PM at BETH EL SYNAGOGUE, 5224 W. 26th St., St. Louis Park. The family requests, in lieu of flowers, contributions in Amos’s name be made to either the Amos and Celia Heilicher Minneapolis Jewish Day School or the Talmud Torah of Minneapolis, both located at 4330 S. Cedar Lake Road, St. Louis Park, MN 55416. Gathering of family and friends Thursday evening at 6:30 PM at Beth El Synagogue.