Andrey Foreman, 64, OBM

Andrey Vladimirovitch Foreman, father of the first Israeli boxing world champion and ordained rabbi Yuri Foreman, passed away on Friday, 2 Iyar 5784.

He was 64.

Andrey was born in the USSR, in Gomel, Belarus in 1960. He served in the Baltic Fleet of the USSR’s Navy from 1978 to 1981. While it wasn’t easy in the economy of the USSR, he always provided for his family and made magic happen for Yuri when it came to the special, little things.

In 1991, the Foreman’s made Aliyah to Haifa, Israel. Andrey was an amazing father to Yuri and after the passing of his wife, Irina Foreman, in 1998 the father and son bond strengthened beyond measure.

Yuri couldn’t have dreamed of a more supportive father, he backed Yuri when he told him he wanted to move to the U.S. to pursue his boxing dreams, and he genuinely believed his son would become the champion of the world.

While Andrey stayed in Haifa, the bond with his son never loosened. They spoke and FaceTimed almost every day and Andrey made annual extended visits with his son in Brooklyn, where he was able to connect and bond with his three grandsons and daughter-in-law as well.

He also supported his son’s growth in Yiddishkeit, as Yuri began learning with Chabad Rabbi Dovber Pinson and eventually received semicha rabbinical ordination in 2014.

Andrey was described as the most jolly man and always made people smile. He was loved and adored by his family, friends, community, and colleagues and will be sorely missed.

He is survived by his son Yuri Foreman, mother Larisa Foreman, and sister Tamara Foreman.

Yuri Foreman is sitting shiva in his Rockland County home. Contact his wife Shoshana Foreman for Minyanim and visiting times at 718-594-6702.