Ira Hersh Bomze, 88, passed away on April 16, 2024. He was born in Philadelphia on January 23, 1936, to Meyer and Faye Bomze. He and Suzanne Sokoloff eloped to Media, Pa., and married on January 4, 1958. Their parents learned of the wedding from cousins who read the Media newspaper’s article about the town’s first wedding of the year. Ira graduated from Temple University in 1957, bought Bomze & VanVlack Drugs in New Paltz, N.Y., in 1962, and worked as a pharmacist until 2001.

Ira loved water sports, especially boats and jet skis. The Bomzes first spent summers at Candlewood Lake in Connecticut, then bought their first boat in 1971 and docked it in Kingston, N.Y. They moved to Charlotte in 1982, and then shared joyful times at their waterfront Lake Norman, N.C., home from 1986-2021, when they moved to Mooresville, N.C

Ira was a member of Temple Kol Tovah in Davidson, N.C. He was instrumental in getting the Jewish community together in the Lake Norman area. They met once a month at the chavurah group at someone’s house – usually the Bomzes. The group eventually became a temple, Temple Kol Tikvah. He was also a member of Lake Norman Golden Boys. He and Suzy generously opened their lakefront home for several years to host large Golden Boy gatherings for the annual lake/boating event.

They were passionate about traveling. Their adventures took them to five of the seven continents. They had an open door policy; everyone was always welcome at the house. Ira was a master of grilling and taught so many kids how to water ski. He loved taking them tubing and jet skiing.

Ira was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Joseph (Myra) Bomze.

He is survived by his wife, Suzanne Sokoloff Bomze; brother, Harold Bomze (Eleanor); sons Jay S Bomze (Laurie), Alan M Bomze (Mika), and Howard M Bomze (Laura); grandchildren Margaret, Andrew, Serena, Monica, Benjamin, Laila, and Eugene; and many beloved nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, April 21, 2024, from 1 to 2 p.m. at the Cavin-Cook Funeral Home. The service will follow at 2 p.m. with Rabbi Becca Diamond. A gathering will be held at Oak Tree Village Clubhouse, located at 180 Oak Village Parkway, Mooresville, from 4 to 7 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Ira’s name to the American Diabetes Association; PO Box 7023; Merrifield VA 28116.

Cavin-Cook Funeral Home & Crematory, Mooresville, is serving the Bomze family. Condolences may be made to the family at www.cavin-cook.com.