Max Gitlin was born on January 19, 1933, at home in Monticello, NY. He passed away on August 31, 2020, at home in Davie, FL, surrounded with love from his daughter, Lynn Fant Merritt, caregiver, Kimica Fearon, and his son-in-law, Gene Merritt.

Max was a proud graduate of Monticello High School (1950), and was the Captain of the basketball team that year, taking his team to the playoffs. Throughout high school, college and the Navy, Max participated in several sports activities. He was on the cross-country track team—where he consistently came in last place—but he never gave up. A favorite story--one of many centered on his sports career—was his fond recollection of the last track meet of the year where he got a big round of applause from the crowd when he finished second-to-last place, instead of his usual last place finish. He pole-vaulted, setting a record lasting until recently, but, as he noted with his trademark sense of humor, he had no form. He also played soccer. He continued his basketball career after high school in the American Legion League with teams from Monticello and Orange County. The Monticello team won the title in 1952.

Max, along with his first cousin, Melvin Gitlin, who was more like a brother to him, worked hard starting at early ages. His first job, along with Mel, when they were 9 & 10, was a bowling pin setter at the local bowling alley in Monticello. He delivered suits (5 cents a suit- by foot) for Morris the tailor. He was a golf caddie (before golf carts) at the Concord Hotel Kiamesha Lake, and a soda jerk at Spector's Pharmacy. He worked at Greck and Stronghin, South Fallsburg.

Max enlisted in the Navy in 1952. He was on a ship for 7 months and then drew shore duty at Guantanomo Naval Station. Once again, he was able participate in basketball when he was selected to play guard position on the Naval Station team. Max's team won the championship, and, as a result, the team was able to play two exhibition games against the Puerto Rico Naval Air Station, a game in the Dominican Republic, and one in Haiti.

Max attended college at State University of New York in Canton, NY. While there, he played hockey and fine-tuned his hatred of the cold. The last year he was at SUNY, the winter weather was so cold it rarely reached freezing. He transferred to the University of Miami, and vowed never to be cold again. He lived in Florida for the rest of his life.

Max graduated the University of Miami in 1962 with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. He continued his love of sports as a baseball and basketball referee. After he became a Sales Executive at Security Plastics, Inc., he continued his love of basketball with pick up games at local rec centers and took his daughter with him to be his admiring cheer leader. Max retired as a Sales Manager for Vinylex Corp., but continued to work as a Real Estate Broker for many years after his formal retirement.

Max never met a stranger and had many friends all over the place. He was kind and generous, loved to tell stories, bring children candy, and listen to them. They loved him back because they could tell he was genuinely interested in them, their exploits, and accomplishments.

Max loved and was loved by his grandchildren, James (Laura) and Glen (Anne-Marie) Fant, and traveled to see them often. Max has four great grandsons, Harlan Fant, James Fant, Leo Fant and baby boy Fant, who will born later this year.

Max's father, Louis Gitlin, his mother, Sade Gitlin (née Feldman), and his brothers Benjamin, Murray, Solomon all predeceased him. He is survived by cousins Melvin Gitlin (Joyce), Marc Gitlin (Stacy), Riki Frankel (Ira), as well as several other cousins. He has several surviving nephews including Jay Gitlin (Ginny), Jeffrey Gitlin, Richard Gitlin and niece Debbie Gitlin.

Finally, Max loved and was loved by his caregiver, Kimica Fearon, who made it possible for him to remain independent and happy for the last four years of his life.

In lieu of flowers, donations to 4Kids, Inc. 954.590.1541 Ofc

https://www.4kids.us/donate/give-now , an organization that provides aid and assistance to children in Florida's foster care system.

4KIDS

2717 West Cypress Creek Road

Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309

The family will hold a Zoom Memorial on Saturday, September 12, 2020 @ 1 p.m.--

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/ 88598359476

Meeting ID: 885 9835 9476

Please share your memories of Max or leave your condolences to his family with this Online Guestbook.