Leslie Brindis, 92, Founded Two Shoe Companies

leslie_brindisLeslie Brindis, 92, a lifetime resident of Haverhill, passed away peacefully Saturday afternoon, Sept. 24, at his home in Lake Havasu City, Ariz. He and his wife Anita moved to Arizona two years ago to be with their son and daughter -in -law, Sam and Renee Brindis.

Brindis was born in Lawrence Aug. 24, 1924, son of the late Samuel and Edith (Wilner) Brindis. He was educated in the Haverhill school system and graduated from Haverhill High School, after which he attended MIT and graduated with his bachelor’s in Business and Engineering Administration in 1944. From there he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and attended Columbia University where he earned his officer’s commission. He then attended sub chaser school in Miami and then ordered to USS Card aircraft carrier where he served as deck officer and engineering officer. He along with the rest of the crew were awarded a presidential citation from President Truman for their service during World War II. Upon his discharge as a lieutenant junior grade, he started Bernie Shoe Company in Haverhill, in conjunction with his father, in 1946 and retired in 1986. He then started Comfort Shoe Corporation and worked with his son William until 2001.

Brindis served on the board of directors at Haverhill Golf and Country Club and was chairman of the social committee and served as assistant treasurer. He was appointed the chairman of the United Jewish Appeal in Haverhill and also served as a past president of Temple Emanu-El in Haverhill. He was also active for many years with the MIT Alumni Association serving on the class reunion committee, as well as fundraising. He was a past commander of the Haverhill Jewish War Veterans, Post 52, and served on the Haverhill Veterans Executive Committee. He was instrumental in bringing the Veterans Administration clinic to Haverhill. He was an incorporator of the Haverhill Pentucket Bank. He also was a volunteer counselor for SCORE, Chapter 411, in Haverhill and Lawrence, Mass as an accredited business counselor.

He was predeceased by his parents; brothers Bernie, Marvin and George; and son William Brindis. He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Anita; son Sam (Renee) of Lake Havasu City; daughter Bonnie (Kevin) Gilsenan of Manlius, N.Y.; daughter-in-law Genia Brindis of Haverhill; grandchildren Jason Brindis, Cazz Brindis of Los Angeles, Calif., Reed Hollinger of Fort Collins, Colo., Zachary Hollinger of Syracuse, N.Y., Eve Brindis of Portland, Ore., and Jacob Brindis of Haverhill; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend his graveside service Friday, Sept. 30, at noon in Children of Israel Cemetery, Haverhill. Arrangements by H.L. Farmer and Sons Funeral Home, Haverhill and Bradford. Donations in Brindis’ memory may be made to American Cancer Society, 30 Speen St., Framingham MA 01701, or the Alzheimer’s Association, 480 Pleasant St., Watertown, MA 02472.