Father: Seymour G. Epstein
Seymour Epstein was born in New York City on December 4, 1916, to Jewish immigrants from the Russian Empire. He grew up in modest circumstances, working as a laborer in his father's demolition business. During World War II, Seymour served in the U.S. Army, though little is known about his service. After the war, he married Paula Stolofsky in 1952 and settled in Brooklyn.
Seymour began his career in the family demolition business before taking a job as a groundskeeper and gardener with the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation. Neighbors recall seeing him perform manual work, such as picking up litter in city parks.
He was known as a humble, hardworking man who spoke with a stutter. Seymour strongly believed that education was the key to a better life for his children. Both he and Paula emphasized the importance of schooling for their sons, Jeffrey and Mark—a value that deeply influenced Jeffrey's upbringing. Seymour died in 1991 at age 75, having seen his son's early professional achievements but not the scandals that would later emerge.
Mother: Pauline "Paula" Stolofsky Epstein
Pauline Stolofsky, later known as Paula Epstein, was born in Brooklyn on October 5, 1918, to Jewish immigrant parents from Europe, likely the Polish or Russian region. Many of her relatives who remained in Europe perished in the Holocaust. Paula grew up in New York City and married Seymour in 1952.
In an era when few mothers of young children worked outside the home, Paula managed both a job and her family. She worked as a school aide, assisting in classrooms, while also running the household. Friends described her as a devoted mother who balanced her responsibilities with care and dedication.
Neighbors remember Paula as quiet, kind, and modest—a nurturing presence in the family. She and Seymour taught their children the value of hard work and education. The Epstein home was considered loving and stable, with Paula providing warmth and support. She likely enforced homework routines and encouraged Jeffrey's early interest in music, including piano lessons.
Paula lived to age 85, passing away in 2004. Like Seymour, she did not witness the later controversies surrounding her son. By all accounts, both parents worked hard to give their children a stable upbringing and traditional values, hoping for a better future for their family.