Sonia Wasserberger

Sonia Cymerman Wasserberger born in Goworowo, Poland in July 7, 1931. She was living with her family in Poland when the Nazis invaded. Her father, a former officer in the Polish army was captured and sent to a death camp. As part of a prisoner exchange between the Nazis and Russians her father was freed and able to take his family to labor camp in Siberia . Sonia and her family spent world war 2 living in a labor camp in Uzbekistan. After the war her immediate family survived and made their wAy to Germany a displaced persons camp in Deggendof Germany. Sonia thrived learning book keeping skills and having opportunities to enjoy culture of Berlin . She met her husband Alfred in the dp camp. He manned the welcome wagon and he spotted Sonia the most beautiful woman he had every seen. They were married in the dp camp. After leaving Germany they were sponsored by a relative in Tampa and settled there raising their family of four. Sonia helped her husband establish his many businesses. Started Modern Cabinet Company Inc,Alfred and Sonia owned and managed several lighting and furniture stores in Tampa most recently Biscayne lighting. After Alfred died in 2000 she managed the store with her daughter Marilyn Checker. Recently Sonya moved to Miami To be closer to her family and was cared for by her daughter Stella. Sonya was very involved in her Tampa synagogue. She was a frequent speaker on Holocaust understanding and its implications. In recent years she recalled the extraordinary times she survived under the Nazis. Her experiences were recorded by the Shoah foundation and Yad Vashem in Israel.she adored her family and loved spending time with her children and grandchildren. She is survived by her four children, Mark Wasserberger (Judy),of Tampa Abe Wasserberger (Lissa Abrams) of Baltimore Maryland, Marilyn Checkver (Mitch) of Tampa, Florida, Stella Lurie (Brandon ) of Coral Gables Florida; sister Ethel Brandsoffer, Grandchildren include Aaron Wasserberger, Rachel Wilson, Michael Wasserberger, Lauren and Amanda Lurie, Adam Checker (Luciano Borba )and Sabina Jacobs(Michael) and 3 great grandchildren. Funeral services graveside at 11:00 am Friday, January 29 Myrtle Hill 4002 E.lake avenue, Tampa . Receiving guests at Congregation Rodeph Sholom February 29, 2016, 2713 Bayshore Blvd , Tampa 12-2:00. Shiva will be observed until February 4, 2016 at 5538 San Vicente street, Coral Gables, FL 33146