Roman Luftglas, 92, of West Hartford, passed away after a short illness on August 11, 2017. Born in 1925 in Szczakowa, Poland, Roman survived the ghetto and a variety of Nazi Concentration Camps. He was liberated on May 8, 1945 from the camp Schport Schule in Lower Salesia. From there through the Black Border he smuggled himself to the American Zone and found himself in Munich. Roman found a job as a mechanic with the UNRA and then transferred to the AJDC. He learned to operate movie projectors and began to show movies all over the U.S. Zone of Germany. Through a coincidence, he was sponsored with the help of Dr. Haber of the AJDC to Columbia, South Carolina. Six months after filling out papers to become a citizen of the United States, Roman was drafted to Fort Jackson. Before coming to the U.S., Roman learned a variety of professions that he thought would be useful. One of the places was Rodenstock, an optical firm with a fine reputation, which served him well after the army where he owned and operated a photographic store, The Camera Bar, for more than 40 years, and is still in existence today. While in the army, Roman trained at Camp Polk and was then shipped to Hokkaido, Japan. He was attached to the 45th combat division and shipped to Korea. After release from the Army Roman was invited by a friend to come to Hartford where by good fortune he met the love of is life and she has tolerated him for 64 years. After his retirement from the Camera Bar, Roman lectured about his experiences in the concentration camp and when you can’t get any lower than a snakes belly, how to pull yourself up by your shoelaces to get back on track and lead a productive life that you can be proud of. He lectured to schools such as Central Connecticut State University as well as other schools and community organizations. With the assistance of Dr. Laura Levine, Roman earned an honorary professorship of psychology degree, which is displayed proudly in his home. Roman was very proud of his family as they were of him. His motto in life was to leave a good footprint and a good name. Roman is a lifetime member of Temple Beth Hillel, South Windsor and a member of The Emanuel Synagogue West Hartford. Roman is survived by his wife of 64 years, Gertrude (Goldie) Sosin Luftglas, daughters, Frieda Luftglas, Elaine Levison and her husband Art, Son-in-Law Stephan Barshay and his wife Janice. He was predeceased by a daughter, Sharon Luftglas Barshay in 1987. Roman and Goldie have 9 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren.
Services will be held at 11:00am at The Emanuel Synagogue, 160 Mohegan Drive West Hartford, CT 06117 Interment immediately following at The Emanuel Cemetery 1361 Berlin Turnpike in Wethersfield, CT. Shiva will be held Sunday until 5:00pm and 6:30-9:00pm, on Monday and Tuesday 1:00-5:00pm and 6:30-9:00pm. Donations can be made to The Sharon Barshay Music Fund; The Emanuel Synogogue 160 Mohegan Drive West Hartford, CT 06117 Roman will be sincerely missed by all that knew him.
