Felix Fuld, Merchant and Philanthropist, Dies at Age of 61

Felix Fuld, American Jewish philanthropist, merchant and patron of the arts, died of pneumonia Sunday night at his home in South Orange, N. J. He was in his sixty-first year. Mr. Fuld, vice-president of L. Bamberger & Company, had been ill with influenza, but had recovered, when a relapse set in and he died at seven o’clock Sunday evening. At the beside were Mrs. Fuld, her brother, Louis Bamberger, business associate of Mr. Fuld, Edgar S. Bamberger, Frank R. Liveright, president of Beth Israel Hospital and Michael Schaap.

Although Mr. Fuld never held public office, it was stated that Mayor Congleton, in recognition of his great work for Newark, will order the flags on all public buildings half-staffed during the funeral.

The funeral services, which will be private, will be conducted from his home at 2.30 P. M. today. Rabbi Solomon Foster of Newark will officiate. Interment will be at the B’nai Jeshuran Cemetery, Elizabeth, N. J.

Tributes to his memory were paid by men of all creeds, led by Mayor Congleton, Bishop Walsh and Rabbi Foster.

Felix Fuld was born July 19, 1868, in Frankfort-on-Main, Germany, the son of Ludving and Theresa Fuld. When he was 12 years old his parents brought him to America, settling in New York. Coming to Newark in 1892. Mr. Fuld, Mr. Bamberger and Louis Frank established L. Bamberger and Company. Mr. Fuld was identified with every charitable and educational cause.

During the world war he was chairman of the Jewish Welfare Board of the State of New Jersey. He was one of the founders of the New Jersey State Federation of Y. M. and Y. W. H. A.’s and was its president at the time of his death. He was treasurer of the campaign which raised $500,000 for the establishment of the Newark Y. M. and Y. W. H. A.

With his wife, the former Caroline Bamberger, Mr. Fuld contributed thousands of dollars to further are and music in Newark. Becoming a life member of the Newark Museum Association in 1921 when Mr. Bamberger donated the museum to the city. Mr. Fuld added groups of sculptural work and numerous valuable paintings.

At the time of his death he was treasurer of the Conference of Jewish Clarifies, treasurer of the Newark Y. M. and Y. W. H. A.

The late Mr. Fuld took an active part in the war relief campaigns in the United Jewish Campaign and contributed lately $100,000 toward the American Jewish Agricultural Corporation, the lead for Russian Jewish settlement work initiated by Julius Rosenwald. (Continued on Page 4)

Toward the original fund for the erection of the Beth Israel Hospital in Newark, Mr. Fuld contributed $250,000, and gave another $250,000 when the hospital was opened last year and an additional $2,000,000 was necessary. He was a large contributor to the Newark Community Chest.

Mr. Fuld was a member of the Executive Committee of the American Jewish Committee.

The American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee, of which Felix Fuld was a member, despatched the following telegram to Mrs. Fuld, signed by Joseph C. -Hyman, the Secretary of the J. D. C.: “In behalf of the officers and members of the Joint Distribution Committee, may I tender our most sincere condolences on the loss of your husband. He was one of those rate, sweet souls who gloried in quiet service to his fellowmen. He carried many burdens with unassuming devotion. Permit us to join with you in your grief.”