Sidney Waxman

Dr. Sidney Waxman died at his home in Storrs on February 10th, 2005 after a long illness. He leaves his wife, Florence (Dix) Waxman; his three children, Howard, Deborah, and Paul Waxman; his daughter-in-law Cynthia Waxman; and his two grandchildren, Sarah Fetterman and Mattias Heubner. Dr. Waxman was born to Harry and Rebecca Waxman in Providence, Rhode Island, on November 13, 1923. He served in the US Navy during World War II, and then entered the University of Rhode Island, graduating in 1951. He pursued graduate work at Cornell University, receiving his Masters Degree in 1954 and his Doctor of Philosophy degree in 1957. That same year, he joined the faculty of the University of Connecticut. During his tenure at the university, Dr. Waxman founded the University of Connecticut Nursery. He retired in 1991 as professor of plant science, after a distinguished career as a teacher, researcher, and friend to many. Dr. Waxman was known internationally in his discipline, participating in the International Horticultural Congress in Brussels, Belgium, in 1962 and the International Society for Horticultural Science in Copenhagen, Denmark, in 1975. His research interests were in plant photoperiodism, tissue culture, and the study of a plant abnormality named Witches' Brooms, which became a lifelong passion. From seedlings of Witches' Brooms, Dr.Waxman selected 34 distinctive cultivars, which he named and introduced to the nursery trade. His Witches' Broom cultivars have garnered international attention among nurserymen and botanical gardens. On October 30, 2004, the New York Botanical Garden dedicated the Sidney Waxman Plant Collection, featuring his conifer introductions. For his many achievements, Dr.Waxman was awarded the Jackson Dawson Medal by the Massachusetts Horticultural Society, the International Plant Propagators Society's Award of Merit, and other honors. Dr.Waxman also served for many years on the Mansfield Beautification Committee. He will long be remembered each spring as the Cornell Pink Azaleas bloom throughout our region, having discovered the technique for effectively propagating them. A memorial service to be held in the spring will be announced. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the UCONN FOUNDATION--WAXMAN FUND, U-66, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut 06269-4066. For online condolences, please visit www.potterfh.com .