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In Memoriam: Arnold Anthony (Tony) Schiffman Jr., Schiffman’s, Greensboro, NC February 13, 2015 (0 comments)
Greensboro, NC--Once again, The Centurion has sadly learned of the passing of a friend shortly after going to press. Arnold Anthony (Tony) Schiffman, Jr., a third-generation jeweler at his family’s namesake firm, died at home in Greensboro on February 9. He was 77.
Born June 26, 1937 in Greensboro, NC, he was the son of the late Arnold Anthony Schiffman, Sr. and Camille Brinkley Schiffman. Also preceding him in his death was his sister, Camille Brinkley Schiffman.
He is survived by his loving wife, Madeleine, to whom he was married for 57 years; sons Arnold A. Schiffman III and wife Terrie; Harry Vance Schiffman and wife Angela; and Laurence Lane Schiffman and wife Becky, all of Greensboro, NC. Surviving also is his brother, Harry B. Schiffman and wife Lila of Manteo, NC; niece Martha Holley Greene of Charlotte, NC; niece Kelly Greene Atkinson and husband Jim of Lookout Mountain, TN. He also is survived by eight grandchildren who were very special to him: Anthony, Brinkley, Margo, Rives, Allen, Kiley, Ren and Layton.
Schiffman was raised on a small family farm outside of Greensboro. He attended Greensboro city schools and while attending UNC-Chapel Hill he became an All-American swimmer. He was a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity and graduated in 1959; he joined the family business at that time and has worked at the helm of the business most of his adult life. Schiffman’s has three stores; two in Greensboro and one in Winston-Salem, NC.
Schiffman was very interactive in the Greensboro business community, including the Rotary Club of Greensboro, and served as past president of the Guilford Merchants Association and the Greensboro Sports Council.
He loved playing golf with friends until the onset of Parkinson's Disease limited his physical abilities. He continued his lifelong passion to actively greet and work with his family, friends, and customers at Schiffman's downtown Greensboro store until his sudden departure. He loved being an impactful leader and good steward of the family business and watching it grow and continue into the fifth generation.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed the Children's Home Society of NC, 604 Meadow St, Greensboro, NC 27405; The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research, PO Box 5014, Hagerstown, MD 21741; or to one's favorite charity.
Top image: Legacy.com