Obituary: Irving “Sonny” May Shlesinger

With sadness, the family of Irving “Sonny” Shlesinger announces his passing, Nov. 22, 2018, having lived a full life of 89 years. Born in Cleveland, Ohio, raised as a teenager in Washington, D.C., a 1951 graduate of Washington & Lee University, he received a post-graduate degree with the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He began his career as a stockbroker in Washington before moving to Atlanta to work for Dittler Brothers, later becoming a senior executive and eventually co-owner of the company. After retirement, Sonny became president of The Standard Club, where he negotiated the sale of the Buckhead facility and subsequent relocation to Duluth.

He was a phenomenal athlete. He played varsity tennis in college, and it was a lifelong passion. On a lark, he and his doubles partner from college entered the men’s over 60 national tournament and reached the quarter-finals. A self-taught golfer with a swing that would make every golf professional cover his eyes, Sonny would routinely shoot in the 70s and once went two years without losing a ball. He founded and ran a golf tournament benefitting AID Atlanta for 10 years. He was loved by all and universally known for stating his honest opinion – whether good or bad.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Sylvia and Milton; his beloved son, Jay; and his stepson, Daniel Zacks.

He is survived by his loving wife, Joyce, who never left his side during his struggles over the past year; his son, John, and wife Sara; and grandchildren, Abby and Michael, all of Atlanta.

Additionally, he is survived by his stepchildren, Andrew Zacks (Denise Leadbetter) of Oakland, Calif.; Tammy Zacks of Atlanta; and Debbie Robbins (Cliff) of Greenwich, Conn., as well as their children, Aaron (Britany); Adam and Joseph Zacks; Michael and Mark Keller; Madelaine, Olivia and Simon Zacks; and Dylan, David and Reid Robbins. A special thank you goes out to the Weinstein Hospice and his beloved caregivers, Tammeshia Christie, Pauleen Simon, Judie Lea and Vince Anderson.

Services were held at The Temple on Nov. 25, followed by a private family internment. The family received friends Nov. 25-26.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Weinstein Hospice, The Temple or the charity of your choice.