The legacy of the Deli King Maurice Solomon
On July 7, 2020, Maurice Solomon, the former owner of Fromin’s Deli of Santa Monica, passed away at age 81 after battling cancer for over a year. Many knew him as the Deli King, just as his license plate read. He could always be found behind the deli counter almost everyday of his life before retiring at age 79.
Born in Brussels, Belgium, he spent two years as a “hidden child”, evading Nazi capture by moving from town to town with his parents. At age 10, he and his family moved to Cleveland, Ohio, where he began his lifelong career working at Solomon’s Deli and Lefton’s.
In 1975, the Holocaust survivor and Deli Man arrived in Santa Monica where he proudly owned Marjan’s Deli in The Brentwood Countrymart and Fromin’s for over 25 years, serving equal amounts of corned beef, love, and laughs every day.
“I have seen so many people who have been coming to the deli their whole lives,” Solomon said in 2018 when he retired from Fromin’s. “We have shared meals, laughs and even some tears.”
Maurice will be deeply missed by his family, friends and beloved customers. A public memorial will be held post quarantine to celebrate the legacy of this great man.
“My grandfather was the definition of a “Family Man,” even to his employees and customers. There was never a time he was too busy for his grandchildren, unless it was to make a reuben for a customer or help at the register. He was a one-of-a-kind, stand-up guy, and my absolute favorite person,” Melanie Shaevel, Maurice’s granddaughter said.
In lieu of flowers or food, the family requests that donations be made in Maurice’s memory to The Shoah Foundation at charity.gofundme.com/mauricesolomonshoahfoundation or Stand Up To Cancer at charity.gofundme.com/o/en/campaign/mauricesolomonstanduptocancer
If you have any stories or memories you’d like to share, please reach out to Maurice’s granddaughter, melanieshaevel@gmail.com
