Obituary
Irving Jack Kaplan died peacefully at the age of 93 on October 2nd, 2023, at the home of his beloved partner, Beverly Friend. He was born on June 20th, 1930, in Chicago as the second son of Morris and Rose Kaplan. He was preceded in death by his brother Norman, sister Pauline (Michell) and wife Roberta (Band). He is survived by his 3 sons, Scott, Michael and Billy, 3 daughter in-laws, Tracie Kaplan, Carol Cooper and Jennifer McCray, 7 grandchildren, Sarah, Andrew and Benjamin, Lauren and Jenna, Hannah and Ruthie and 8 nieces and nephews. Irving was also blessed with 6 step-grandchildren, Michael, Joey, Brianna, Alex, Nathan and Hailey.
Irving began his early years on Chicago's West side. He attended Marshall High School where he met his future wife, Roberta Band. Together they had three boys, Scott, Michael, and Billy. They raised their children in the loving community of Frontage Road in Skokie, Illinois. Irving worked in many professions during his lifetime. He stocked gum ball machines, worked in an ice cream shop, sold factory second quality socks on Maxwell Street in Chicago in the 1940's, co-owned a grocery store, worked in his uncle's dry cleaners, sold insurance with Sun Life of America and Western and Southern, sold shoe's with his cousin Leon Friedman at Chernin's, opened Kappy's Hot Dogs stand, delivered for Meals on Wheels and brokered insurance independently. Irving served in the Army in Alaska during the Korean War.
In Judaism, Irving would be called a "mensch". He espoused love and light to all. Irving also loved food and would typically begin a conversation with a detailed description of his latest "good" meal. Irv was famous for his mandlebread and push-pulls, which he shared with everyone. He was a joy to know and spend time with.
Memorial donations in Irv's honor may be made to Meals on Wheels Northeastern Illinois, www.mealsonwheelsnei.org/donate, would be greatly appreciated.
Chapel service, Thursday, October 5, 2023, 2:30 PM at Shalom Memorial Funeral Home 1700 W. Rand Road, Arlington Heights. Interment Shalom Memorial Park. For a link to view the service, shiva information and to leave condolences: www.shalommemorial.org or (847) 255-3520.