Superlatives can’t describe him

He came to this country from Poland when he was 6 years old, but no one might have been more in love with his adopted homeland or more patriotic than Joseph Radomsky.

“He was so proud to be an American and embraced America with a true sense of spirit and patriotism,” said his daughter Hedda Feigenblatt. “During the Cuban Missile Crisis, I was very frightened, I was crying, he always reassured me that America never loses, it’s a great place, a great country.”

From displaying an American flag every Fourth of July to standing for the National Anthem, even while watching basketball games at home on television, Radomsky exhibited his patriotism. In addition to his family, sports, especially hoops and the Knicks were his passions.

Born in Radom, Poland on Aug. 23, 1914, he came to the U.S. in 1920. A Cedarhurst resident for more than 45 years, Radomsky died at home on Jan. 19. He was 97.

Though he lost an eye in a childhood accident, Radomsky didn’t allow that to keep him from playing sports. As a 15-year-old, he was part of the New York Evening Graphic punch ball championship team in 1929. But he loved basketball.

“Defense,” said Jeffrey Feigenblatt, in explaining, why his father-in-law loved basketball. “He just had an affinity for (basketball). He was very active and played with his grandson well into his 70s.”

At 6-feet tall, Radomsky, at one time, would have been one of the taller players on the court. “When he was young he only wanted to play ball and his father would say come home, no more ball, but they would paint the ball white and play at night,” Hedda said.

For his youngest grandson Ryan Feigenblatt, attending, playing or watching basketball games not only connected him with his grandfather, but taught him something about overcoming obstacles “He was a die- hard Knicks fan and stuck with the team through the tough times,” Ryan said. “I think that transcends into other areas. My grandfather truly overcame challenges and persevered.”

Originally, Radomsky lived in Manhattan and then Brooklyn. He and wife Beatrice settled in Cedarhurst in 1966. Throughout his working life, he was involved in the clothing industry. First as a haberdasher for the men’s shop Briggs on Madison Avenue in Manhattan, then for Peter Pan ladies swimwear and later on for Men’s World in Oceanside. In retirement he was an active member of Chabad.

“He always kept a dapper appearance it was very important for him until the very end to be in a shirt, tie and cardigan every day,” Hedda said. “My husband would be sitting with him and say ‘you are at home make yourself comfortable’. I would ask, why don’t you wear jeans? All the fathers wear jeans. He would say jeans are for farmers.”

Radomsky wasn’t a farmer but the family memories he cultivated are vivid reminders of his impact on a daughter, who received a bedtime story every night as a toddler and understanding assistance as a student. “It didn’t matter that is was the same story every night — ‘Jack and the Beanstalk’ — for he did the best fee-fi-fo-fum,” Hedda said. “My dad also helped me with my homework pretty much on a nightly basis. I hated math, but he was always so patient with me.”

Predeceased by his wife Beatrice of 65 years in 2006, Radomsky is also survived by his daughter Cindy Watts, grandchildren Susan and Alan, and great grandchildren Alex, Liam and Beatrice.

A funeral service was held at Boulevard-Riverside-Hewlett Chapel. He was interred at Shomrei Hadath Cemetery in Baltimore.

“Superlatives are not enough to describe my dad,” Hedda said, simply put, he was truly the best.”