Seymour Koltin

Seymour "Cy" Michael Koltin July 23, 1929 – August 22, 2025 Seymour “Cy” Michael Koltin, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend, passed away peacefully on August 22, 2025, at the age of 96. Born on July 23, 1929, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Cy was the cherished son of Sarah and Emil Koltin. A first-generation American, he grew up with his siblings Fred, Rita, and Eileen. He graduated from Washington High School and the University of Wisconsin–Madison where he was a member of Alpha Epsilon Pi (AEPi). Cy built a beautiful life with his devoted wife, LaVerne, and together they raised three children. His joy multiplied with the arrival of six grandchildren, who were his greatest pride. A lifelong sports fan, Cy followed the Badgers, bled green and gold for the Packers, cheered faithfully for the Brewers, and celebrated every Bucks victory. A passionate racquetball player, he also found great joy in dancing. As top performer for Career Academy he once won a fire-engine-red 1971 Mustang, receiving the keys directly from Packer’s legend Bart Starr—a story he loved to share. Cy’s quiet generosity touched many lives. As the longtime owner of Jack’s Uptown, he was a neighborhood fixture. His kindness reached far beyond his store—most memorably when he extended credit to a struggling family so they would never go hungry. That family included a young Chris Gardner, who later shared Cy’s compassion in The Pursuit of Happyness. Known as “the comeback kid,” Cy endured and overcame countless challenges: surviving double pneumonia at birth, colon cancer, and even being struck by a bus, surviving after being pulled from his car by the jaws of life. Through it all, he remained resilient, optimistic, and deeply grateful for the life he lived. Cy will be remembered for his warmth, humility, perseverance, and love of family. He leaves behind a legacy of generosity, strength, and devotion that will live on through all who knew him. Cy is survived by his wife, LaVerne (née Gerstein), and their children, Howard, Allan (Sharon), and Kathy Blumenfeld (Michael); and by his grandchildren: Zachary (Carly), Joshua (Zoe Sellman), Rebekah, Jack (fiancée Avery), Brian, and Julia. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews, extended family, and dear friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Emil and Sarah (née Schunder), his brother Fred, and his sisters Rita Cohen (Melvin) and Eileen. May his memory always be for a blessing. A graveside funeral service will be held Sunday, August 24, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. at Mound Zion Cemetery, 14510 West North Avenue, Brookfield, WI. A meal of condolence immediately following at Congregation Emanu-El B'ne Jeshurun, 2020 West Brown Deer Road, River Hills, WI 53217. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Cy’s memory to Congregation Emanu-El B'ne Jeshurun, Hunger Task Force, American Cancer Society, or St. Judes Children’s Research Hospital.

Seymour Koltin

July 23, 1929 - August 22, 2025