Byron S. Weil died in San Diego, CA, on December 29, 2003, after a long illness. He was born in Chicago in 1924 and lived in the area most of his life; he was a member of the first graduation class at South Shore High School (1942). Byron spent three years as a radio operator in the Amry Air Corps during World War II, with overseas service on the island of Guam. He returned to Chicago after the war to marry his high school sweetheart, the former Laverne Levine in 1946. Their loving marriage lasted until her death in 1999; it was filled with the joys of parenthood, great friends and hard work. In the 1950’s, he worked as a miner and salesman for Freeman Coal Co. Later he worked for Material Service Corp. and Henry Crown Co. in sales and distribution of heating oil and he became president of the independent oil company, Oils Inc. He was a dealmaker with good leadership and people skills. A football player and boxer early in life, “By” was a longtime Chicago White Sox, Blackhawks and Bears fan. He was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed fishing, hunting and golf. Byron retired in 1989 and moved to Rancho Bernardo, near San Diego. He and Laverne found this to be a warm and welcoming community and they made many wonderful new friends in RB. Their social life revolved largely around Temple Adat Shalom. Byron had been an active supporter of the Ronald McDonald House in Chicago, enabling ill children to attend summer camp in Wisconsin. He also put his business skills to good use as a volunteer for several organizations in the San Diego area. He was recognized as Philanthropy Volunteer of the Year by the Philanthropy Council of San Diego in 1993 for his work with Interfaith Community Service, a nonprofit organiztion that provides job training, housing, food, pre-school, and clothing for needy residents of the North County area. He considered himself to be their chief “schnorrer” and he was also a late blooming impresario and producer of musical fundraisers. Byron’s family was very important to him. He was devoted to his own parents, and in turn, he was an involved parent and grandparent. His last years were brightened by marriage to the former Annette Kaplan and by a loving relationship with her wonderful family. Byron is survived by his wife Annette; his brother Les Weil; his daughter Laurie Swiryn and her husband Monty; his son Gary Weil and his wife Janice; and grandchildren Lissa and Jeffrey Swiryn and Madeleine and Andrew Weil. The family is grateful to Billy and Olga Wong, Suzy and George Gould, Esmarelda Varela, Nick Fiel and Patricia Cameron for their devotion and care during Byron’s illness. A memorial service was held at Temple Adat Shalom at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, December 31. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to Interfaith Community Service, 550 W. Washington Ave., Escondido, CA 92025 or to Temple Adat Shalom, 15905 Pomerado Rd., Poway, CA 92604.
