IRWIN PEARLSTEIN

Irwin Robert Pearlstein "Sonny", passed away on November 2nd, 2021 following a bout with pancreatic cancer. Just like he dealt with all experiences in life, Sonny managed his illness with strength and grace, and wanted to spend as much time with his loved ones as possible. On his final day, he was surrounded by family in his son's home near San Francisco, California.

While Sonny passed away on the West Coast, you could not take the Philly out of him. Sonny was born December 29, 1941 in Philadelphia and lived his formative years in West Philadelphia where he graduated from West Philadelphia High School, Class of 1959. Sonny had a voracious appetite for sports. He was a fierce competitor, and an accomplished football/baseball player. He was known amongst his peers to leave everything on the field, to be a lover of philly cheese steaks and always to be found with a smile on his face. He was described as a loyal warrior and man amongst boys.

Sonny's love of people was as intense as his love of Philly. He loved meeting and connecting with people..even during a short ride on the elevator. His bigger than life persona and ability to see people as unique individuals made him more than memorable as he left you smiling. If you were family or friends he made you feel safe, provided guidance and gave unconditional love.

His love of sports continued throughout his life. He threw himself into tennis and golf devoted to being the best in each sport he could be, which was his life motto. He was either all in or he wasn't at all.
Following high school and a few years at Temple University, Sonny made his way out of Philadelphia and moved his family across/throughout the United States sponsored as a turnaround specialist for a large multi-national company, Chamberlain Manufacturing. Sonny eventually settled in the California bay area.

Always an entrepreneur, Sonny eventually left the buttoned up corporate life and moved on as an owner/investor in numerous endeavors to include bail bond agencies and multiple technology/insurance ventures.

Although Sonny found great success as a business leader, it was his work as a father that will be remembered as his greatest achievement, just meet anyone of his kids and you see why this statement is true. His love of family extended from blood relatives to those lucky enough to be his friends. Keeping the family/friends connected was a passion and successful by the many large family reunions he organized every few years.

Sonny was a great man. Sonny was a Jewish man. He touched the lives of so many of us and will forever be remembered for his kindness and counsel. He was the Patriarch of the Pearlstein family in the truest form, resolving disputes and mending emotional fractures.

Sonny was survived by his loving wife of almost 25 years, Chris Pearlstein, his seven (7) children Kathy Cartwright, Andrea Dominic Lubrano, Barry Pearlstein, Karyn Galati, Cheryl Enos, David Pearlstein and Alexandra Dean, his seventeen (17) grandchildren and six (6) great grandchildren. Sonny was predeceased by his father Samuel Pearlstein, mother Lilian Pearlstein and his loving sister Gloria Ginsburg.

A funeral service took place on November 10, 2021 at Forrest Hills / Shalom Memorial Park. Memorial contributions may be made to B'nai Tikvah, 25 Hillcroft Way, Walnut Creek, CA 94597. There will be a celebration of life December 29th at Rossmoor, Fireside Room, Walnut Creek, CA from 4:30 to 7 pm.