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Jewish Federation Mourns Death of Percy S. Straus; Funeral Today

April 10, 1944
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Funeral services will be held tomorrow at Temple Emanu El here for Percy S. Straus, noted Jewish philanthropist and chairman of the Board of R. H. Macy & Co., who died last Thursday night from a heart ailment at the age of 67. Internment will be private.

The Federation for the Support of Jewish Philanthropic Societies of New York, of which Mr. Straus was chairman, issued a statement morning his death. “His vision, his broad humanitarianism and his leadership were ever at the service of all causes that promised the betterment of our city’s welfare,” the statement said. “His was the long view that built for the future. Over the years his keen intellect and his vigorous devoted personality contributed immeasurably to the growth of the Federation and its affiliated institutions. The founding and upbuilding of the Businessmen’s Council of the Federation grew out of his pioneering concept and labors and it is largely his achievement that philanthropic interest and activity are so deeply interwoven with the business and professional life of this community. We have suffered an irreplaceable loss.”

Mr. Straus was also a director of the Refugee Economic Corporation and served as president of the Jewish Agricultural Society for eight years. Among his major contributions was $1,000,000 to New York University, on whose Council he served. During the first World War he was chairman of the executive committee of Industrial Training for War Emergency.

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