By ALEX COSTELLO
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Skolnick, 72, a 43-year resident of Oceanside, lost a long battle with cancer on Aug. 4.
Skolnick had a long history of active involvement with the Jewish community on Long Island, including 40 years with Young Israel, which he served in many different capacities, including as its president. He was active in the United Jewish Appeal Federation, an international community-service organization, for more than 30 years and was the Oceanside UJA chairman for more than 20 years. Skolnick was also a board member and a chairman of the scholarship committee at Hebrew Academy of Long Beach, and president of the alumni of Yeshivas Toras Chayim, an elementary school in Woodmere.
"Arnold stood tall and straight and had a heart of gold," said Beverly, his wife of 45 years, at his funeral.
Skolnick worked in the insurance business for more than 40 years. He managed the nursing home department at Rampart Brokerage in Lake Success. Two of his children, Naomi Kaszovitz and Glenn Skolnick, worked in the business with him.
As members of Skolnick's family spoke to the mourners about their father, they remembered how he always dressed in finely tailored suits. They also noted how much he loved electronic gadgets, and couldn't wait to show them the newest one he had purchased.
"He liked nice clothing, he liked artwork, but most of all he liked people," said Kaszovitz. "He worked hard and he played hard."
His daughter said that Skolnick was involved in many philanthropic causes, and added that the best way for others to understand the number of lives he touched was to have seen his funeral. "I think the outpouring at his funeral, the fact that the streets were closed, I think that pretty much speaks volumes for who he was," Kaszovitz said. "He definitely touched thousands of people in business and in his personal life."
In addition to his wife, Kaszovitz and Glenn Skolnick, Skolnick is survived by a son, Zev; a sister, Claire Lipschitz; and 11 grandchildren.
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