He grew family firm into a global giant

Sylvan Tobin, 83, of Haverford, a businessman and philanthropist, died Wednesday, May 29, of natural causes at his home.

During a quarter-century as its president, Mr. Tobin transformed Fishman & Tobin Inc. from a small Philadelphia-based maker of boys' suits into a global player in the manufacture of children's products.

The firm was cofounded by Mr. Tobin's father, Louis, in 1914. It is now a clothing conglomerate on Chemical Road in Plymouth Meeting.

With his partner, Bernard Fishman, Mr. Tobin expanded the business to meet demand for youth-related goods at both ends of the spectrum, from Walmart to Nordstrom, said Mark Fishman, a copresident of the firm.

Under Mr. Tobin's leadership, the firm grew to 2,500 employees and $1.4 billion in net sales this year. Even so, he insisted on conducting business the old-fashioned way, Fishman said.

"His word was truly his bond, and he made sure that Fishman & Tobin as an organization did everything with integrity - from how it treated its customers to how it treated its associates," Fishman said.

Mr. Tobin's influence did not stop with business. He used his wealth, intellect, and commanding presence as a force for good in the community.

He helped support the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia, serving as vice president for three years in the 1990s, said Lenard Zimmerman, the group's chief development officer.

"He was a terrific human being and well-respected in the Jewish community," Zimmerman said.

Mr. Tobin and his family endowed a professorship in neuroscience at the Wistar Institute. He also served as chairman of the board of the Institute for Cancer and Blood Diseases at Hahnemann University Hospital for more than a decade.

"His devotion to the [cancer] institute was amazing, and he single-handedly raised funds for many of the institute's research breakthroughs," Fishman said.

Mr. Tobin's father was from Berezovka, Russia. He came to the United States at age 9 as Louis Tabachnick, but the name was changed at Ellis Island. At 17, Louis Tobin went into the garment trade with his brother-in-law Samuel Fishman.

Born in Philadelphia and raised in Wynnefield, Sylvan Tobin was precocious from the start, said Richard Weisberg, a lifelong friend. After two weeks in kindergarten, he was moved up to first grade, Weisberg said.

Mr. Tobin graduated first in his class at Overbrook High School in 1947. He received a bachelor's degree from the University of Pennsylvania in 1951.

That year, Mr. Tobin met Frances Emanuel at a country club. The two married in 1953.

Mr. Tobin was a bridge officer aboard a destroyer escort during the Korean War. After the war, he was honorably discharged with the rank of lieutenant junior grade.

His daughter, Lynne, described her father as an unusual man. "He was quiet and understated, but had a huge effect on people. He really knew who he was, and people around him . . . trusted him," she said. "He had a big presence in our household. He adored my mother and would do anything for his family."

Mr. Tobin remained a consultant to his company throughout his life, but also was a former limited partner in the Flyers. His wife ran Flyers charities for 29 years.

"When they came to me and asked if they could purchase any part of the team, I was happy to make them a minority partner," said Ed Snider, chairman of Comcast-Spectacor, owner of the Flyers. "They never missed a game.

"Sylvan was passionate about the Flyers," Snider said. "He was extremely enthusiastic about our team. He was a wonderful person to have around. He was a true gentleman and a wonderful human being that we all loved. We all thought highly of him, and we will miss him dearly."

Besides his wife and daughter, Mr. Tobin is survived by a son, Steven; another daughter, Sharon Tobin Kestenbaum; 11 grandchildren; and two sisters.

Services were Friday, May 31, with burial in Haym Salomon Memorial Park, Frazer.

Contributions may be made to the Tobin Kestenbaum Neuroscience Professorship at the Wistar Institute, 3601 Spruce St., Philadelphia 19104.

Condolences to the family may be offered at www.levinefuneral.com.

at 610-313-8102 or bcook@phillynews.com.