Roy Fuiman, 77, real estate developer

Roy Fuiman, 77, of Belmont Hills, a real estate developer and vintage car enthusiast, died of sepsis Jan. 26 at Lankenau Hospital.

Mr. Fuiman grew up in the real estate business and earned a broker's license when he was 18. His father, L. Herman Fuiman, was a lawyer and developer. His mother, Pauline Fuiman, was one of the first female real estate brokers in Philadelphia and was a founder of the Washington Square West Civic Association.

After his father's death in the 1950s, Mr. Fuiman was a partner with his mother in her Center City real estate office.

They oversaw renovation of houses west of Broad Street and in Society Hill and Washington Square, where they developed Jefferson Village behind Thomas Jefferson University Hospital.

In the 1970s the Fuimans acquired Gorchov Realty in Bala Cynwyd and expanded their residential sales business into the suburbs.

After his mother died in 1991, Mr. Fuiman continued to operate the Center City and Bala firms until he retired in 2006.

He was well known as an avid vintage automobile restorer and collector, his wife, Betsy Burke Fuiman, said. For more than 40 years, he was a member of the Classic Car Club of America and was a founding member of the Valley Forge Region chapter of the Antique Automobile Club of America. He was also a member of the Keystone Region chapter of the Rolls-Royce Owners' Club.

Among his favorite cars in his collection were a 1936 Cord convertible phaeton; a 1936 Lincoln LeBaron all-weather phaeton; a 1924 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost touring car; and a 1956 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud. His cars won awards at auto shows, his wife said.

In 1977, his 1928 Pierce-Arrow roadster was the star of a car auction in Bala Cynwyd. Mr. Fuimann, who found the car in 1969 in a barn in Upstate New York, described it to a reporter as "the Rolls-Royce of the gangster era."

The roadster's colors, cream yellow and black with green wheel spokes, were the original colors he found when he restored the car.

"It probably belonged to some sporty character," he said.

Mr. Fuiman had recently acquired a 1963 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith limousine that he planned to exhibit at shows.

He taught a course in antique and classic car restoration at Main Line School Night. Many a car hobbyist benefited from his vast knowledge and helping hand, a friend, Wes Waters said.

His garage and tools were always available, Waters said.

Mr. Fuiman graduated from Central High School. He earned a bachelor's degree from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and served in the Navy.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by daughters Heidi Geffen and Tracey Rizen; and two grandchildren.

A memorial service was held Tuesday at Goldsteins' Rosenberg's Raphael-Sacks Funeral Chapel in Philadelphia.