WEINBERGER, ADOLPH

WEINBERGER, ADOLPH (5 Jan. 1891-16 Dec. 1977) founder of a nation-wide chain of drug stores, was born in Hungary, the son of Nathan N. and Tillie Hocheiser Weinberger. Arriving in Cleveland as a youth, he combined work with study, attending CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL at night and enrolling as special Student at the School of Pharmacy at Western Reserve University 1910-1912. After opening his first drug store at E. 30th and Scovill Ave. in 1912, Weinberger acquired other stores and incorporated the Weinberger Drug Co. in 1921 with $20,000 capital. Adopting cut-rate prices, Weinberger was successful, operating 21 stores throughout Cleveland, and in Mansfield, Sandusky, Youngstown, and Pittsburgh by 1934. He acquired two other chains in Ohio and Pennsylvania in 1946 and changed the name to GRAY DRUG STORES, INC. which became one of the largest in the nation. As president of the Ohio State Pharmacy Board, Weinberger led the fight to tighten controls on barbiturates in 1950. He also was chairman of the committee which raised $500,000 to establish the School of Pharmacy at Hebrew University in Jerusalem which was named in his honor.

Weinberger married Minnie Jacobs 10 Sept. 1916, and they had four children Carl, Jerome, Ruth Herman, and Elaine Berwitt. After his wife's death in 1964, Weinberger married Lillian Abrams 16 June 1965. A resident of SHAKER HTS., he died at Gates Mills Manor nursing home and was buried at Glenville Cemetery.


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