Milton Marcus provided the heart at Hart’s Department Store in New Kensington. As an executive for Hart’s, which was founded in the early 1900s by Meyer Hart, Mr. Marcus was known for his philanthropic endeavors, which included support of the Lions Club, Salvation Army, Red Cross, Peoples Library and the fire department. Mr. Marcus, of New Kensington, Westmoreland County, died on Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2003, in Allegheny Valley Hospital, Natrona Heights, Harrison. He was 96. “Milton supported almost every community and charitable event that took place in New Kensington,” said James Kopelman, his attorney and friend. “He was a founding member of the Lions Club. And every year Milton not only helped with the broom sales, but would provide matching funds to equal the amount raised by the number of brooms that were sold. It was a real incentive for his fellow Lions to sell a lot of brooms.” Born in Pittsburgh, Mr. Marcus was one of five children in the family of Abraham and Rebecca Marcus, who brought young Milton to New Kensington when he was 10. Mr. Marcus, a graduate of New Kensington High School, entered the Army during World War II. “Milton was assigned to an infantry outfit,” Kopelman said. “He saw action in the Pacific and was a member of the 309th Infantry that liberated the Philippines.” After his discharge, Mr. Marcus returned to New Kensington and began his career with his sister Ida’s in-laws, the Hart family. By the time his nephew Edwin Hart assumed operation of the department stores, the Hart family had 14 outlets throughout the Allegheny Valley. “At that time, the three-story Hart’s Department Store on Fourth Avenue was the principal and flagship store,” Kopelman said. “It was a busy store. Alcoa at that time had over 8,500 employees. The whole town thrived.” As buyer and manager for the ladies sportswear and accessories department, Mr. Marcus was admired for his professionalism and respected for his kind demeanor, when it came to both his customers and his employees. Mr. Marcus retired when the store was sold in 1984. “Hart’s was a great place to shop,” businessman Ross Walker said. “My parents shopped there as I did as I grew up. As busy as they were, and they were busy, the employees and managers took time to make sure you were satisfied.” Walker’s wife, Virginia, said Mr. Marcus took care of his customers. “I think every woman in New Kensington frequented Mr. Marcus’ department. He was a real gentleman and a very kind man.” Mr. Marcus was instrumental in helping to establish the Adat Shalom B’Nai Israel Beth Jacob Congregation in Indiana Township. “It was a merger of Beth Jacob in New Kensington and B’Nai Israel in East Liberty,” Kopelman said. “Through the years, Milton was very much involved with Beth Jacob and very generous to the congregation.” Mr. Marcus never married, and Kopelman recalled how close he was to his brothers and sisters. “My parents were also very close with the Hart family, and I would often see Milton when my family visited with Mrs. Hart. “There’s no doubt that New Kensington has lost a great supporter. Milton set a wonderful example of service and philanthropy for others to follow.” Mr. Marcus is survived by his nephews, Edwin Hart, of Tampa, Fla., and Alan Marcus, of Pittsburgh; and a niece, Elaine Bortz, of Englewood, N.J. Friends will be received today from 11 a.m. until noon, the time for the service at Ross G. Walker Funeral Home Ltd., 217 Freeport Road, New Kensington. Rabbi David Greenspan will officiate. Burial will follow in Beth Jacob Cemetery, New Kensington.

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