Raised in Tribute:
$732.51Adam Gitomer, a devoted son, brother, uncle, friend, and passionate Philadelphia sports fan, passed away on July 14th at the age of 67. Adam was truly one of a kind - a kindhearted, selfless soul whose warmth, enthusiasm, and unwavering curiosity touched everyone he met.
Born and raised in New Jersey, Adam had a unique ability to connect deeply with people. He was endlessly thoughtful, remembering birthdays with precision, asking genuinely about the well-being of others (even those he had never met), and always going out of his way to spread cheer. His cards - overflowing with handwritten wishes and joyfully crammed with adjectives - were legendary, often requiring nearly an extra stamp for all the ink he used.
Adam had a mind like a vault for facts and figures - particularly sports trivia. His loyalty to every team preceded by "Philadelphia" was unmatched. He didn't just love sports; he lived and breathed them. From obscure statistics to game dates decades old, Adam was a true savant.
He also had a deep love for sweets - chocolate, ice cream, cheesecake - and delighted in the simple pleasures of life. Music was another passion, and he was a proud clarinetist in his high school marching band. Many friends and family were lucky to receive a personal birthday serenade from Adam's clarinet, a tradition that never failed to bring a smile.
After high school, Adam pursued his culinary passion at Johnson & Wales University, where he earned his degree in culinary arts. He then began a long and proud career cooking in the casinos of Atlantic City, where he served thousands of guests over three decades with pride and skill.
Despite the challenges life threw at him - and there were many - Adam faced each one with grace, resilience, and his trademark smile. His final and most difficult challenge, Parkinson's disease, could not dim his spirit or kindness.
Adam is survived by his loving mother, Arlene (Bunny) Gitomer; his devoted brother, Ric Gitomer, and sister-in-law Helene Reich; and his cherished nieces, Rebecca and Adina Gitomer, who brought him great pride and joy.
Adam's infectious enthusiasm for life, deep compassion, and unwavering positivity will be dearly missed by all who were lucky enough to know him.
The Michael J. Fox Foundation is dedicated to finding a cure for Parkinson's disease and to ensuring the development of improved therapies for those living with Parkinson's today. The Foundation is the world's largest nonprofit funder of Parkinson's research, with more than $2 billion in high-impact research funded to date.
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