Arthur Klein, a founding member of the Hollis Hills Jewish Center and the former executive vice president of The Lefrak Organization, died Oct. 21 in Deerfield Beach. He was 87.
Klein, who was born in Brooklyn and lived most of his life in Hollis Hills, was the man behind the scenes who put the deals and numbers together for developer
Sam Lefrak in the building of Lefrak City in Elmhurst.
“Sam was the visionary,” said Klein’s daughter, Sherri Klein. “Artie was the numbers guy.”
Klein worked for many years with Sam Lefrak’s son, Richard, and then the current company leaders in the Queens Boulevard officers.
He retired 17 years ago at the age of 70.
For many years he was a snowbird with properties in Florida as well as New York and New Jersey.
Klein, who was born on Aug. 20, 1927, graduated from Baruch College, served as a sargeant in World War II and was an accomplished CPA.
Known as hardworking and humble, he was described by his daughter Sherri “as a prince among men.”
He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Debra Klein; another daughter Andra; and grandchildren Lara and Marc.
Klein was a member of the Boca West Country Club in Boca Raton, Fla., and a member of the Knights of Pythias.
Donations in his memory can be made to the Hollis Hills Jewish Center, 210-10 Union Turnpike, Hollis Hills, N.Y. 11427.
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