Retired businessman Abraham Kupperman dead at 96

ABRAHAM BERNARD KUPPERMAN, a small business owner and leader in the Jewish community, passed away on March 21, 2016 at the age of 96, only two days before his birthday.

A native New Orleanian and first generation American, Kupperman was born on South Rampart Street near Perdido Street, the fabled area considered one of the birthplaces of jazz music. After his father died when he was only six, he was raised by his mother and an older sister.

Kupperman was the valedictorian at all three of his graduating classes at Fortier High School, Tulane University’s undergraduate class, and, at the age of 21, his Tulane School of Law class.

He then served in the U.S. Army Air Corps as second in command of an airbase in Freckleton, England.

He returned to Louisiana at the end of the war to help out in his family’s small furniture business, becoming president of the business in 1948. The businesses ultimately grew to include Levitan’s, Joy’s, Great Southern Wholesale Co., Best Way, United Liquidators, and Joy’s of Baton Rouge. He sold the businesses in 1984 and for a brief time went back to practicing law with the Baldwin & Haspel firm. He became adept at investing and became a Certified Financial Planner.

He was a former member of many boards, including the Anti-Defamation League, Touro Infirmary, and Pelican Homestead, and served as president of both the Jewish Federation of Greater New Orleans and the Jewish Community Center.

Kupperman is survived by his wife of 66 years, Jo-Ellyn Levy Kupperman; his sons Jeff (Nancy) of Santa Barbara, California and Stephen (Mara) of New Orleans; six grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Graveside services were held on Tuesday, March 22 at Hebrew Rest No. 3, Frenchman at Pelopidas Streets at 3:00 p.m.  Temple Sinai Rabbi Edward P. Cohn officiated.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Temple Sinai, Touro Infirmary Foundation, Jewish Community Center or the Jewish Federation of Greater New Orleans. Tharp-Sontheimer-Tharp Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.