Obituary of Alexander Rezmovits

Alexander Rezmovits, 95, passed away peacefully on October 23, 2019, surrounded by his family. 

He will be remembered by all who knew him for his generous spirit, his compassionate heart and his exceedingly empathetic nature.  He grieved with people when they were suffering, never said “no” to a friend in need, and took care of anyone he thought needed a little extra support.  He made sandwiches for Denver’s homeless population, and always remembered to buy extra holiday gifts for neighborhood children with little else to count on at Christmas.    

Alex was born on July 24, 1924 in Krasna, Romania to Ferenc and Fanny Rezmovits. He had a large and very happy family with 8 sisters and 1 brother.  He was a mischievous and fun-loving child that loved to climb trees, playfully steal fruit from his neighbor’s yard, and enjoy his mother’s family-style cooking. 

When, as a teenager, he began to experience the rise of anti-Semitism in his hometown, he learned the art of cabinetmaking, so that he would later be able to help build the Jewish state of Israel.  Sadly, he was never able to live that dream.

In early 1944, during WWII, Krasna came under the military district of Cluj.  Schools were closed, food rationed, and Jews targeted by the Germans who tortured them, plundered their homes, expropriated their businesses, and ordered them to wear yellow Stars of David.

In April of 1944, Alex and his family were in hiding in Cluj when they were rounded up and imprisoned in the ghetto.  Soon after, in June of 1944, they were sent to Auschwitz. Both of his parents and his sisters Rosalia, Irena, Cara and Gisela perished in Auschwitz. The horrific memory of having to watch his mother and his youngest sister, Gisela walk hand-in-hand into the gas chamber haunted Alex for the remainder of his life.  

From Aushwitz, Alex was sent to forced Nazi labor camps in Hirschberg and Bunzlau before ending up in Bergen Belsen in February of 1945 where he was liberated and brought to the Dachau Displaced Persons Camp in May of 1945. 

He was then transferred to Sweden for convalescence in July of 1945. Alex never forgot the kindness of the Swedish people, and how they helped to bring him back to life after unimaginable tragedy.    

In Sweden, Alex met fellow holocaust survivor Regina Drajer and they were soon married.  They had two children Arthur, born in 1947, and Freda born in 1949.  Alex loved being a father. 

In 1954 the family immigrated to the United States and moved right to Colorado where Alex’s brother Mike and his family lived.  Alex always said that “America was the best country on Earth.” 

Alex was a talented master cabinetmaker and helped to build the interior of some of Denver’s most iconic buildings, and numerous beautiful pieces of furniture that remained in his home and that have already lasted many decades. 

In 1980, David, Alex’s youngest child was born.  Alex raised David largely on his own – and loved every minute of it.  His family was the most important thing to him.  He could always be counted on to tell his family and friends how much they were loved and appreciated.  He had a gift for making people feel special.

He was a jokester and a storyteller.  He loved running, and photography, and ballroom dancing.  He also loved WWE wrestling despite having been told over and over that it wasn’t “real.”  He didn’t care – he loved the thrill of a pin and the excitement of the crowds. He knew how to enjoy his life.

The themes of Alex’s life are evident.  We can overcome hardship and tragedy.  We always have more to give.  Family is everything.   

Survived and cherished by his children Arthur Rezmovits (Monika), Freda Lisnow, and David Rezmovits (Carla); his brother Mike Resmo (Bobbi) and sister Eva Stadler; and his grandchildren Matthew Lisnow, Jamie, Matt (Yingying), Owen and Hannah Rezmovits. Friend to all. 

Alex was deeply grateful for the loving care he received near the life from so many, but especially from: Mirella Schreiber at Jewish Family Service, and Amy, Julia, Julie, Frida, Yacov, and Mikaela. 

Graveside funeral service Friday, October 25 at 2:00 PM at Fairmount Cemetery, 430 S. Quebec St, Denver, CO.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Jewish Family Service of Colorado: jewishfamilyservice.org.