Photo by Ron Sachs Courtesy JHSGW
Henry H. Brylawski of Washington, died peacefully at his home on June 2, six days shy of his 102nd birthday.
Brylawski was born on June 8, 1913, in Washington where he spent his entire life except for service overseas during World War II. Brylawski graduated from Central High School before receiving his law degree from National University Law School (now The George Washington University). Following military service during World War II, Brylawski worked as an attorney in private practice in Washington for more than 50 years.
Brylawski served as president of the Jewish Historical Society of Greater Washington from 1969-1971 and was instrumental in the organization’s work to save and move Adas Israel synagogue in 1969. He later chaired the D.C. Joint Committee on Landmarks, the predecessor of the Historic Preservation Review Board. There, he had a major hand in D.C.’s earliest preservation laws.
In honor of his 100th birthday in 2013, Mayor Vincent Gray proclaimed the date “Mr. Henry Brylawski Day,” and the Washington Jewish Week wrote an article.
He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Molly and his oldest child, Tom. He is survived by his daughter, Kathleen B. Miller (David); son, Samuel (Gail J. Sonnemann); daughter-in-law, Bruna P. Brylawski; six grandchildren, David, Michael, Julie, and Susanna Brylawski and Nicholas and Alec Miller; and five great-grandchildren, Henry, Charles, Michael, Lila, and Talia. He is also survived by his brother, Alan; sisters-in-law, Eugenia S. Siegler and Harriet L. Schwartz; and loving caretakers, Ginalyn Landichio, Mercy Avila, and Ella Nabe. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Brylawski’s memory can be made to the Jewish Historical Society of Greater Washington, the Community Hospice, or the charity of your choice.
