SUNBURY -- The name Apfelbaum is well-known in Sunbury. And Sidney Apfelbaum was the patriarch of the family. He has passed away at the age of 95.
"I've always found him to be a true gentleman, a lawyer's lawyer so to speak. He was definitely a giant in our local bar," Northumberland County President Judge Charles Saylor said.
Judge Saylor met Apfelbaum when he was a young attorney right out of law school. He had the utmost respect for him.
"You knew if he was involved, things would be handled at the highest ethical level," Saylor said.
But Sidney Apfelbaum was not just an attorney. Beth Kremer knew him for almost 50 years.
"He was a neighbor, he was a fantastic attorney, and he was a great friend," Kremer said.
Apfelbaum was very involved with the Degenstein Foundation, an organization focused on financially supporting non-profits in the Susquehanna Valley.
Apfelbaum was well-known for his charity work and for giving back to the community. In fact, he donated money to build a gazebo in Cameron Park in Sunbury.
"He just did everything he could to help anybody. If you needed a pair of sneakers, he found a way to get you the money," Kremer said.
Apfelbaum was a World War II veteran. His "Hometown Hero" banner hangs on Market Street in Sunbury. He had a law practice with his family. He was a former Northumberland County Assistant District Attorney and a former school district solicitor. Friends describe Apfelbaum as "one of the last true gentlemen."
"I never heard him raise his voice ever. He was just a real gentle man," Kremer said.
