Merle Supowitz, 80, died Feb. 24, 2014.
Born in Stubenville, Ohio, Mr. Supowitz moved to Johnstown, Pa., as a child and graduated from Southmont High School. After graduating, he joined the Navy. After the Navy, he relocated to Tucson and founded Merle’s Automotive, which he sold later in his life. Mr. Supowitz was active in Tucson’s 162nd Fighter Wing Air National Guard Family Readiness group, which helps ensure that families of deployed military personnel are taken care of. He was a Shriner, helping to raise funds for childhood burn victims, and was affiliated with the Special Olympics, the Boys and Girls Club, Civitan, the Boy Scouts, and the YMCA Triangle Y Camp. He was the co-founder of the 88-CRIME program. He also was very involved in the Jewish community, locally and in Israel.
Survivors include his children, Sondra (Edward) Koven of Tucson, Shelley Supowitz (Alan) Mendelson, and Stuart (Darla) Supowitz; brother, Harvey (Katherine) Supowitz of Johnstown; and two grandchildren.
Services were held at Evergreen Mortuary with Rabbi Robert Eisen officiating. Interment followed in the Congregation Anshei Israel section of Evergreen Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to Congregation Anshei Israel, Tucson Hebrew Academy or the 162nd Fighter Wing Family Readiness Program.
