Ernest Rosenthal, survivor of Holocaust, dies at 78

Ernest Rosenthal was a survivor.

When he was about 8 years old, he came to the United States with his mother from Limburg, Germany, leaving his father and siblings behind.

"He was a Holocaust survivor," his wife, Toby Rosenthal, said. He was a well-known businessman in Richmond and was active in events with the Jewish community.

Mr. Rosenthal died Sunday of complications from renal cancer. He was 78.

Mr. Rosenthal moved to the Richmond area after serving at Fort Eustis in with the Army during the Korean War.

In 1957, he opened West End Markets, two family-run grocery stores near Byrd Park, which he operated for about 15 years.

In 1972, he opened Drape'N Hang Co. to produce custom-made window treatments, which he operated out of his home.

"He tried to get all three of his children interested in the business and hoped that one of us would take over," son Jay Rosenthal said. The children went on to have their own careers, while Mr. Rosenthal made curtains until January, when he retired because of health reasons.

"He was very stubborn, he would go out of his way to help someone else, but he didn't want people to go out of their way to help him," Jay Rosenthal said.

During his younger years, Mr. Rosenthal enjoyed playing basketball so much that he helped create a Summer School Yard Basketball League for high school students in the West End. The program grew into a citywide initiative that is still going 40 years later, his family said.

He also coached at the Jewish Community Center and at the Rudlin Torah Academy.

"He loved working with young people," daughter Marci Rosenthal said.

Mr. Rosenthal also held a deep appreciation for Latin music, gained when he lived in New York City as a youth. When Tito Puente was in concert in Richmond about 10 years ago, Mr. Rosenthal asked Puente to sign his collection.

He kept the signed collection and proudly showed it to anyone, Marci Rosenthal said.

Survivors also include daughter Carol Rosenthal and five grandchildren.

A funeral will be held today, Wednesday, at 11 a.m. in the chapel of Richmond Beth-El Cemetery at Forest Lawn.

Contact Luz Lazo at (804) 649-6058 or .