Hyman Salkind, Gurnee Merchant

Hyman "Hy" Salkind, a Chicago area merchant who finished hiscareer in Gurnee, Ill., died Wednesday in North Miami Beach, Fla. Hewas 85.

Formerly of Evanston and Northbrook, Mr. Salkind founded hisfirst Great Chicago Surplus Store at 1393 N. Milwaukee toward the endof World War II. Over the next several years, he guided thefamily-run business as it expanded to more than 30 stores inIllinois, Minnesota, Iowa and Wisconsin.

In the mid-1950s, the popularity of the military surplusbusiness declined. He began selling his stores to concentrate on onegeneral merchandise store by founding the Big Gurnee Discount Storeon property he owned in that town.

Mr. Salkind sold Big Gurnee, now known as Welton's Market, in1980 and retired.

A philanthropist, he was a founding member of Beth Emet The FreeSynagogue in Evanston. He also was a founder and supporter ofParkview Home for the Aged in the Humboldt area.

To help Israel establish its independence, he donated vastamounts of blankets and medical supplies to the fledgling country.Prime Minister David Ben Gurion personally visited Mr. Salkind tothank him for his help and to persuade him to return to Israel. Mr.Salkind turned down the request but enlisted others to help him buyBen Gurion's first car and have it shipped to Israel.

"This guy was everyone's Uncle Hy,"' said his nephew, Jerry Gold."Everybody knew him."

Surviving are his wife, May; two sons, Sander and Peter; abrother, Martin, and three grandchildren.

Services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday at Piser WeinsteinMenorah Chapel, 9200 N. Skokie Blvd., Skokie. Burial will be inShalom Memorial Park, Rand Road and Illinois 53, Palatine.