Dr. Lewis Emanuel Taub

SARATOGA SPRINGS – Dr. Lewis Emanuel Taub of 150 Saratoga Boulevard, Saratoga Springs, died on April 30, 2026. He was 100 years old.

Lewis was born on Dec. 30, 1925, in Brooklyn, NY, the son of Morris and Florence Simon Taub.  He attended local schools in the Bay Ridge section of Brooklyn and was a graduate of Brooklyn Technical High School.  He attended Brooklyn College and received a degree in optometry from Columbia University.

On December 26, 1948, he married Marion “Sonia” Clesner, his beloved until her death and beyond.  They moved to Saratoga Springs in 1952 where he opened his office for the practice of optometry.  Sonia and Lewis raised their three children, Michael, Eric, and Sarah, in Saratoga.  Lewis continued in practice for 38 years, retiring in 1991.  When Sonia became ill, Lewis cared for her day and night for three years until she passed away in 2016.

In 2023, Lewis married his beloved second wife, Barbara Kass.  Barbara passed away in 2025.

Lewis was a life member of the American Optometric Association and a member of the New York Optometric Society.  In addition, he belonged to the Historical Society of Saratoga Springs and was a volunteer at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center.  He loved skiing and sailing and helped found the Saratoga Lake Sailing Club.  In 1964, Lewis and Sonia became founding members of Temple Sinai, Saratoga’s Reform synagogue. 

Lewis loved to travel both internationally and domestically and had a lifelong goal of visiting all the US National Parks, which was only thwarted by the ongoing creation of new National Parks.

Lewis was a lifelong learner.  With Sonia, he attended dozens of Elderhostel educational retreats.  In his retirement, he audited more than 50 classes at Skidmore College and was granted an honorary certificate of achievement in 2016.

Lewis was a loyal, devoted husband and father – always a stable, loving foundation for his children in good times and bad.  His secret for a long life was to have a long memory for good times and a short memory for difficulties.  He enjoyed every day to the fullest. 

He is survived by two children, Michael and Sarah Taub; and four grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Community Hospice, communityhospice.org.