Gilbert Alvin Liss, m.d.

Gilbert Alvin Liss, M.D. born on October 13, 1929 widower of Hermine and father of five, died peacefully at home on December 18, 2020. Born in Philadelphia to Louis and Sadie Liss at Albert Einstein Hospital in the Olney section of Philadelphia, he was given a silver cup as the "fattest baby". He lived his early years above the Louis Liss bakery, the family business on Rockland Street in the Logan section of Philadelphia. At his parents' side in the bakery he learned the skills to become a talented cake decorator and baker, skills that he shared with his children, grandchildren, and community for the rest of his life. As a young boy and man he spent much of his summer time on the family farm in Vineland and in Atlantic City.
After graduating from Olney High, he received a degree in accounting from Temple University. Recruited to Officer Candidate School, he entered the United States Navy and served as Lieutenant on the SS Huse, a destroyer escort, for two years during the Korean War. He was married in 1953 to the love of his life, Hermine Betty Eisenberg, a Bronx beauty, whom he met on a blind date while in the service. Following postings at naval bases in Key West, Florida and Newport, Rhode Island, Gil and Herm and their first child returned to live with Lou and Sadie in Philadelphia's East Oak Lane neighborhood. They would live with Lou and Sadie for the next 11 years. With initial plans to join his father in the bakery, a change in career path led him back to school to become a doctor. While he completed his medical training Gil and Herm added four more children to the house in E. Oak Lane. He received his M.D. from Temple University School of Medicine with honors in 1961, interned at Philadelphia General Hospital and served a residency in OB/GYN at Temple University Hospital. The whole troop moved to Phoenixville Pennsylvania in 1965 where he opened one of the first OB practices in the community, delivering over 8000 babies during his career.
Gil loved the practice of medicine and took joy in helping others. He was a leader in the hospital and at his synagogue, B'nai Jacob, to which he remained dedicated until his death. He was full of life and love, with bear hugs for family and friends and was able to see the best of and take true pleasure in the people and world around him. He loved to hunt and fish and treasured 50 years of family time at the Lake Winnipesaukee Bear Island summer cottage. He loved gardening, always competing with nature to grow the earliest tomatoes and propagating beautiful flowers and plants in his greenhouse.
Gil died at 91 years of age after a long struggle with Parkinson's and a one-week illness with COVID 19. Gil and Hermine were able to remain in their home because of the loving care and phenomenal devotion of their team of caregivers from Angel Companions. Words cannot express the family's gratitude for these people who loved Gil and Hermine, truly becoming part of our family.
He and Hermine, who died last year, leave a rich legacy of values including family, love, honor, respect and loyalty. He is survived by his five children, Jon (Andi), Bob (CJ), Larry (Wendy), Fred (Diane) and Abbe (Aaron). He took enormous pride in his 14 grandchildren and their partners Naomi (Joe), Jacob (Boom), Toby (Lalo), Hannah (Kyle), Laura (Toby), Dana (KG), Louis, Zachary (Jaz), Kyle, Claire, Nathan, Ellie (Dan), Jeremy (Helen), and Gabe (Kelly). Great-grandchildren brought it full circle – Jackson, Talya, Andrew and Isaac. Donations may be directed to two of his favorite charities, Congregation B'nai Jacob, 101 Manavon St, Phoenixville, PA 19460 and the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University Medical Alumni Fund online at giving.temple.edu/maascholarship or by mail atTemple Health Institutional Advancement, P.O. Box 827651, Philadelphia, PA, 19182-7651. www.levinefuneral.com