WOLG
N NORMAN developer, philanthropist,
lifelong car guy passed away Sunday
February 12 2023. Norman Wolgin,
95, was born in Philadelphia, PA in
1927 to Israel and Rose Basin Wolgin.

Norman served in the US Army during
World War II. In 1946, upon return-
ing home from Italy, Norman worked
at the Atlas Credit Corporation, the
family business, started by his father
srae o i i t e 1
s to ﬁ a ce
automobiles and expanded after the
war by Norman and his brothers Jack
and Sidney who predeceased him. He
is survived by his brother Dr. William
Bill) Wolgin. Norman entered the car
business in 1949 as a used car dealer,
in addition to used cars he sold many
small European imports. He was the
ﬁ rst
dea er i
e sy a ia it
the purchase of two cars and
200 in
parts and metric tools. Sales did not
go well when people looked under the
hood and found no engine. From 1960
to 1962, he owned Jenkintown Ford
and had better success in 1962 with
a e
dea ers i
e erica
got used to rear engine cars. In 1958,
Norman married Marian Jane Lebovitz
his partner in all things: life, family,
business, and philanthropy. In 1962 as
Atlas Credit gradually evolved to a real
estate orie ted ﬁ a ce
si ess a d
mortgage company, Norman returned
to ser e as E ec ti e ice reside t.

Atlas gained listing for its securities
on the New York Stock Exchange.

Norman’s responsibilities included
serving on the Executive Committee
for all of the Atlas subsidiaries, which
included the Colonial Mortgage
Service Company, now GMAC
Mortgage Company, one of the largest
mortgage service companies in the
country at this time. Norman Wolgin' s
activities on behalf of Colonial includ-
ed res o si i ity for Joi t e t re ro
ects with builders. In 1969 Norman
embarked on a new and long career
in real-estate development. He formed
Waverly Management, which built
and managed 1,100+ units of mul-
tifamily housing apartments in the
Philadelphia area and in 1974 devel-
o ed o e of t e ﬁ rst co do i i
ro ects i do to
i ade ia
Tower East
Center City One) at Broad
and Spruce Streets. 1979 brought the
de e o e t of a
, sq ft ofﬁ ce
tower at 7th and Chestnut and two
years later The Double Tree Hotel,
Garage and Wilma Theater at Broad
and Locust Streets. Also, in 1981
Norman and Marian embarked on
a four-year redevelopment and res-
toration of the 100-year-old historic
Sagamore Hotel in Bolton Landing,
NY on Lake George. The economic
engine that is The Sagamore Hotel
is now a 350-room resort and confer-
ence center. Throughout his career
Norman used his development and
construction skills to support philan-
t ro ic ro ects t e e a sio of t e
Philadelphia Ronald McDonald House
and the Annenberg Research Institute.

The partnership of Norman and
Marian was a very effective fund rais-
er for causes in the Philadelphia area,
as well as The Adirondacks. Norman
loved to fox hunt with the Huntington
a ey
t i e i
i ade ia a d
sailing on Lake George with family
and friends. Since a young boy Noman
loved all things cars-the through line of
his life. He was a passionate collector
and restorer of antique automobiles.

is ﬁ rst restoratio
as of a 1
Ford that he brought home in bushel
baskets. Marian did all the upholstery
and the convertible top. He built a
collection of 1930’s Classic Era cars
and sports cars from the 1950’s. In
later years he took to designing cus-
to cars, so e i
e ced y t e
1930’s Classic Era and some wholly
of his imagination. His creative de-
signs fashioned from an eclectic blend
of parts caused one friend to refer to
them as
Frankinwolgins” -a misnomer
for Norman’s
Rolling Sculptures” .

Beyond career and hobbies, at his
core Norman was a man dedicated to
family-always home for dinner, family
vacations, and supportive of his chil-
dren’s endeavors. He gave his daugh-
ter Amy and his son Ike the gift of the
best high school, college, and gradu-
ate education. Beyond schooling he
gifted his children a strong work eth-
ic, the importance of follow through,
and hopefully some of his intuitive
business skills. Most importantly, he
was a role model for ethical conduct.

Norman built a business career based
on relationships over the bottom line.

His conduct over 50 years earned
him a devoted following of partners,
associates, and employees. Norman
lived a life that was always full and
balanced-family, work and service.

Norman was predeceased by his
daughter Amy Wolgin Wiener. He is
survived by his wife of 64 years Marian
Wolgin, His son I Robert Wolgin
Ike) of Bolton Landing, NY, His grandson
and his wife Michael & Alli Wiener
of Seattle, WA, and his brother Dr.

William Wolgin of Philadelphia, PA.

Contributions in Norman’s honor can
be made to:
The Philadelphia
Ronald McDonald House
3925 Chestnut Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104
OR The Double H Ranch
idde a ey oad
Lake Luzerne, NY 12846
LAUREL HILL FUNERAL HOME
www.laurelhillphl.com
N MEMORI AM
MATTHEW DAV
D ADLER
BORN: 6/15/1970
PHILADELPHIA, PA
DIED: 2/18/2011
SEATTLE, WA
Dear Matt: On this the 12th anniversary
of your passing, we are still heartsick
over the loss.

Is it possible that 12 years have gone
by? Your children in Seattle are doing
great with Jenn as a single mom.

Jake is 17 and will be going to college
this September. Zoe is 13 and High
School is on the schedule for her. They
both love sports. G-d bless them.

We are certain that your colleagues at
DLA Piper LLP are still missing you.

arc a d ar s a i
a erto
a d
t eir t o itt e ids are doi ﬁ e. i ia
is 6 and Alex is 4. G-d bless them.

We think of you every day and look for
you in rainbows.

Mom and Dad
Our family is here for you when you need us
most, for funeral and pre-planning needs.

PHILADELPHIA CHAPEL
Carl Goldstein
Supervisor 6410 N. Broad Street
Philadelphia, PA 19126
SUBURBAN NORTH
CHAPEL Bruce Goldstein
Supervisor 310 2nd Street Pike
Southampton, PA 18966
ROTH-GOLDSTEINS' MEMORIAL CHAPEL
Stephen Collins
NJ Mgr. Lic No. 3355
116 Pacific Ave
Atlantic City, NJ 08401
215-927-5800 For Deaf or Hard of Hearing:
267-331-4243 GoldsteinsFuneral.com
Caring. Committed. Compassionate.

JEWISHEXPONENT.COM 27