Leonard Cantor | Company owner, 88

Leonard Cantor, 88, formerly of Jenkintown, a company owner and civic activist, died of heart failure Wednesday at Watermark on Logan Square, a retirement residence in Philadelphia.

In the late 1940s, Mr. Cantor joined Insinger Machine Co. The pioneering manufacturer of stainless steel dishwashers was owned by his father-in-law, Bernard Levene. In the 1970s, Mr. Cantor purchased the company, whose clients include institutions, hotels, and the Navy, which gave the firm two design awards. In 1998, he sold Insinger's to his son Robert.

A graduate of Atlantic City High School, Mr. Cantor earned a bachelor's degree from Temple University. During World War II, he served in the Army in Utica, N.Y. He remained in the Army Reserve until 1971.

Mr. Cantor was past president of the North American Association of Food Equipment Manufacturers. He was former president and served on the board of Beth Sholom Congregation in Elkins Park and was active with the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia, the Jewish Theological Seminary in New York, and the Philadelphia Geriatric Center. He also supported a scholarship for Temple undergraduates.

In addition to his son, Mr. Cantor is survived by his wife of 64 years, Clara "Dolly" Levene Cantor; a son Richard; six grandchildren; and a great-grandson.

The funeral was Friday at Beth Sholom Congregation. Burial was in Roosevelt Memorial Park, Trevose.