Irvin Fliegelman, 76, insurance agent

Irvin Fliegelman, 76, formerly of Blue Bell, a retired life insurance agent, died Wednesday, Nov. 19, of dementia at home in Atlantic City.

Born in Philadelphia and reared in Norristown, he grew up helping in the family business, Fliegelman's Kiddie Center, on Main Street. He graduated from Norristown High School in 1956.

Mr. Fliegelman earned a business degree from Rider College in Trenton in 1960. Later, he served on Rider's board of trustees for 15 years.

Mr. Fliegelman worked as a sportswriter and in public relations before joining the Equitable as a life insurance agent in 1966. He started in Philadelphia when he was 28, and "didn't know the business, and barely could spell insurance."

In the first year, his sales commissions were $4,000, he told The Inquirer. He soon became a member of the industry's Million Dollar Round Table, and in 1985, he was admitted to the Top of the Table, reserved for the industry's top 300 producers.

At 52, he told the paper: "I've worked damned hard to get where I am."

Mr. Fliegelman reached his peak at the Roland M. Hausmann Agency in Bala Cynwyd as Equitable's No. 1 agent in 1993, and then as National Honor Agent in 1994.

Mr. Fliegelman met Susan Weiner in fall 1965 on a horseback-riding expedition. They married in 1966 and lived at various times in Plymouth Meeting, Lafayette Hill, and Blue Bell.

The two were longtime members of Tiferet Israel Synagogue in Norristown, where he served on the board. The congregation later merged with another to form Tiferet Bet Israel in Blue Bell.

Mr. Fliegelman was a basketball coach for Plymouth Meeting Township junior leagues, refereed high school games, and led a group of athletes to a state championship in the Special Olympics.

He joined the Green Valley Country Club, where each July for 25 years, he hosted a golf outing. The event raised money for charity.

An ardent Eagles fan, he had held season tickets since 1960. He enjoyed horse racing and eventually became part-owner of several winning horses.

Mr. Fliegelman traveled to Israel, Puerto Rico, and Hawaii. In recent years, he and his wife spent summers in Atlantic City and winters in Boca Raton, Fla.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by a daughter, Jodi Goodman; a son, Scott; three grandchildren; a brother; and nieces and nephews. A sister died earlier.

The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 23, at Joseph Levine & Sons, 4737 Street Rd., Trevose.

Burial will be in Tiferet Bet Israel Cemetery.

Contributions may be made to the Mitzvah Circle Foundation, Box 2130, Blue Bell, Pa. 19422.