Mitchell Eugene Ostrow, 60, passed away in his sleep on June 8, 2014.
He is survived by his wife, Sheila; his two children, Steven and Ellen; and his two grandchildren, Piper and Tenley.
Mitch was a husband, father, grandfather and best friend, and he was likely your friend. Mitch was a stranger to no one and an instant friend.
Mitch was born in Chicago, Ill. and was raised in Mobile by Thelma and Martin Ostrow.
He met his wife, Sheila, in New Orleans at John F. Kennedy High School. Mitch explained that the first time he saw Sheila, he leaned over to a friend and said, “I’m going to marry that girl.”
Later in life, as Mitch described this story to his children, Sheila expressed some skepticism of his recounting, but he was insistent that his recollection was accurate.
On Jan. 11, 1974, Mitch and Sheila tied the knot. They celebrated their 40th anniversary in January.
Mitch was full of life, and always strangely able to pull off impossible feats. A friend of Mitch’s once wrote that a famous quote made the most sense to him with Mitch’s name: “Some folks see things as they are and say why. Mitchell Ostrow dreams things that never were and says why not.”
Mitch started his career in men’s clothing, then transitioned to a distinguished career in the hospitality business with Hyatt Hotels and Atlantis Resort.
In 2007, Mitch followed his dreams, and opened a men’s clothing store, partnering with his son, Steven. Father and son worked tirelessly to make shopping an experience and create a store “for the above average guy.”
After many years of struggle, Mitch and Steven’s efforts put the store, Archipelago, on the road to success. Mitch made Archipelago an integral part of the surrounding business community, and through his work he promoted The Wharf regionally.
Mitch lived and breathed Archipelago, and it was his dream to make it a success for the benefit of his family and to leave it for his son to continue the business.
Work was often on Mitch’s mind, but that never stood in the way of a good round of golf, or a not so good round. In teaching his children how to play, Mitch explained, “They call it golf because all the other four letter words were taken.”
Since 1988, Mitch took one to two weeks out of his year to golf with a group of his nearest and dearest friends, a group that referred to themselves as “The Nuts,” often with a few other choice words jokingly added. He looked forward to the trip every year and always had a good story when he returned.
Of all the amazing accomplishments, interesting investments and life adventures, Mitch was most proud of his children.
After a full day of work with Steven, Mitch called his daughter, Ellen. He told her that after watching Steven that day and hearing about Ellen’s day as an attorney working for a federal judge, he was basking in the moment. He said to her, “Having you two and raising you was the best thing I ever did in my life.”
Mitch’s viewing will be held June 13, 2014, from noon until 2 p.m., at Pine Rest Funeral Home in Foley, with the service immediately following.
Arrangements by Pine Rest Funeral Home, Foley.
