Obituary - MOSHE (MIKE) WENGROV

Mike Wengrov, age 87, of Sanford, passed away on Sunday, May 3, 2015, at Longwood Health Care Center in Longwood. Mr. Wengrov was born in Poland on Dec. 20, 1927. He and his mother, Leah, with the help of righteous Polish people, escaped the Nazis, and made their way to Russia. At the time of his bar mitzvah, most of his family had perished in the Shoah, but he was given the given the gift of life.

During the war, after having passed himself off as older and working in a tank production factory, Mr. Wengrov and his mother immigrated to Israel. They lived there for several years where Mr. Wengrov worked for El Al. According to family lore, Mr. Wengrov worked on a flight for Golda Meir and on the plane that carried the body of Adolf Eichmann.

Mr. Wengrov and his mother relocated to the United States and settled in New York. He enrolled in vocational school and studied machinery and air conditioning operations and repair. He also worked in plumbing at the same time. He had an association with a Central Florida concern manufacturing parts for NASA’s Apollo Moon Landing project. For many years, he worked for the New York City Environmental Department, ultimately retiring with a pension.

Through mutual friends, Mr. Wengrov was introduced to Rosa Freyman, his wife of over 30 years who survives him. With their marriage, he gained an instant family with Rosa’s two sons, Dr. Ilya Freyman, a dentist, and Dr. Alex Freyman, a veterinarian. In 1992, Mike and Rosa moved to Sanford and joined Congregation Beth Am. For a number of years they were active in the JCC Couple’s Club and Mr. Wengrov spent time trading in the stock market. Mr. Wengrov’s amazing life story was recorded by Steven Spielberg and he was featured in The Heritage.

Mr. Wengrov is survived by his wife Rosa; stepsons, Dr. Ilya Freyman (Dana) and Dr. Alex Freyman (Helene); and five grandchildren.

A graveside funeral service was held at Beth Israel Cemetery with Rabbi Arnold Siegel officiating. Funeral arrangements entrusted to Beth Shalom Memorial Chapel, 640 Lee Road, Orlando 32810.