ABRAHAM SANKARY

FORT WORTH -- Abraham "Al" Sankary, beloved husband, extraordinary father, loving Papa, devoted brother, uncle and friend, died peacefully at home Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2011, surrounded by the love and presence of his devoted wife, daughter and son-in-law. The world will be a little less joyful as we will miss a man of great warmth, generosity and faith. Service: 10 a.m. Friday in the Barnett Sanctuary of Congregation Ahavath Sholom, 4050 S. Hulen St., with Rabbi Andrew Bloom, Rabbi Gary Perras and Dr. Javier Smolarz officiating. He will receive military honors under the auspices of the Martin Hochster Jewish War Veterans Post 755. Following committal prayers, Al will be laid to rest in Ahavath Sholom Cemetery. Memorials: In lieu of flowers, consideration of contributions to one of Al's favorite charities, Congregation Ahavath Sholom, the Jewish Education Agency of Fort Worth, the American Cancer Society or a charity of one's choice, in his memory, is suggested. Born on Dec. 3, 1924, to Celia and Shady Sankary in Fort Worth, Al was the fourth of 10 extremely close-knit children, due in great part to their parents, who instilled solid values and a strong sense of social and familial responsibility on each of them. Driven to be successful at an early age, Al graduated from Central High School at the age of 16 and began working until he entered the Army at 18. Stationed in India, he and his battalion engineered and built the Burma Road from Ledo to Bhamo, and from there to Kunming, China, beating unbelievable odds, including monsoon rains, malaria, tigers and scorpions. It was there that Al learned to be what he called a calculated risk-taker, a trait that served him well throughout his life. The love of Al's life was his wife, Rose. Together they raised three children and treasured experiencing life's journeys together. Family was always an integral part of Al's life, and he was extremely close with his grandchildren. From one small store in downtown Fort Worth, Al founded Al's Formal Wear, which grew into the largest family-owned chain of tuxedo rental stores in the Southwest. Al was a true innovator in the formal wear industry, using telemarketing and direct mail techniques to build a brand and a reputation people revered. Al was the recipient of many awards throughout his lifetime including the After Six Black Tie Award, given to the formal wear industry's most outstanding retailer, the B'nai Brith Man of the Year Award and the President's Award from Congregation Ahavath Sholom. Al spent his entire adult life helping others personally, professionally and religiously through countless contributions to his synagogue, Congregation Ahavath Sholom, The Jewish Federation, Hadassah and numerous organizations around the world. Al served on numerous community boards. He served as president of Congregation Ahavath Sholom, was a board member of B'nai Brith, The Jewish Federation of Fort Worth and a board member of the National Bank of Texas for 27 years. Al and his wife, Rose, believed philanthropy and community service were among the height of good deeds. Most recently, they donated a state-of-the-art computer lab to the synagogue to help with further education. Al was devoted to his synagogue and was most proud of serving as chairman of the building committee when the new synagogue was constructed in 1980. Al's family and friends will remember him as a kind gentleman, a true friend, and a wonderful man who always put others before himself. He was the building block of his family and community, and truly loved life to the fullest. May his memory forever endure as a blessing. At this time, the family's deepest gratitude is extended to Dr. Michael Ross, Jennifer Cooper, Wendy Higgins, Sue Ludwig, Sue Drapiza and Pat Stroop, who walked the path with Al this last year. The family is forever grateful for their extraordinary care and love. He was preceded in death by his parents, Celia and Shady Sankary; his beloved son, Tommy; and brothers, Sol and Morris. Survivors: In addition to his devoted wife, Rose, Al is survived by his daughter, Rebecca, and son-in-law Allen Bodzy; son, Jerry; the loves of his life, his grandchildren, Matthew and Elizabeth Bodzy; his brothers and sisters, Jack and Bernice Sankary, Myer and Sandy Sankary, Esther and Lou Zalta, Mary Herman, Pearl Schwartz, and Lillian Gaylor; as well as his sisters-in-law, Florence Perlman, Jayne Harary and Cyla Horn; along with his devoted nieces and nephews and their families. Robertson Mueller Harper Funerals & Cremations 1500 Eighth Ave., 817-924-4233 To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of ABRAHAM SANKARY please visit our Sympathy Store.