Obituary of Jacob Kream

Jacob Kream (April 16, 1919 to June 29, 2019)

 

Jacob (Jack) Kream passed away peacefully on June 29, 2019 at the age of 100. He was the loving husband of Rhoda Kream for 77 years. Jack was born on April 16, 1919 in Brooklyn, New York, the son of Philip and Celia Kream. Jack attended Dewitt Clinton High School and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Chemistry from the City College of New York. He then obtained his doctorate in Biochemistry from Columbia University in 1952. Jack and Rhoda moved to Glen Cove, New York, in 1956 to raise their family and have lived there ever since. First and foremost, Jack was a man of science. In graduate school, Jack’s research was related to the biochemistry of DNA. Following graduation, he had a long and fulfilling career as a clinical biochemist doing research in the field of endocrinology. He worked at the Hospital for Joint Diseases and Montefiore Hospital and retired from his faculty position at Cornell University Medical College in 1986. Throughout his life, Jack enjoyed sports. He was a sprinter in college, running the 100-yard dash in competition. He was greatly inspired by the track and field great Jesse Owens. Jack loved baseball, and was a devoted fan of the former New York Giants and the New York Yankees. As a child, he attended the opening game at the original Yankee Stadium where he was thrilled to see Yankee baseball legend Babe Ruth. From an early age, Jack had a passion for art and classical music. Jack created many beautiful oil paintings that are lovingly displayed in his home and in the homes of his children. He attended concerts by Sergei Rachmaninoff and Jascha Heifetz at Lewisohn Hall while a student at City College. The music of Mozart, Mahler, Bach and other classical composers resounded throughout his home. Jack was also an avid reader. He enjoyed the poetry of Robert Frost and Walt Whitman, particularly the “Leaves of Grass.” Most importantly, Jack was a devoted husband and father and was very proud of the accomplishments of his children. Jack was predeceased by his parents Philip and Celia, his sister Roslyn Sexton, his son-in-law David Condit and his infant son David who died shortly after birth. He is survived by his children Richard Kream (Patty), Barbara Kream Condit, Steven Kream, and Shelley Tawfik (Bernard), 14 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren. The family gives special thanks to the physicians and caregivers at Glen Cove Hospital and the staff at the Regency in Glen Cove for their compassionate care, kindness and support. A private funeral service at the Locust Valley Cemetery is being arranged by the Dodge-Thomas Funeral Home. Cantor Gustavo Gitlin of the Congregation Tifereth Isreal in Glen Cove will preside over the service.