Book of Memories

I am so sorry that we’re here today. Hanukkah should be a time of happiness and family. Instead, Al’s family, both his biological family and his synagogue family and his community family, have to deal with this terrible sadness. Meri has been there for every second and she has been explaining things to me along the way, and I have to tell you that I still don’t understand part of what happened and why. You could say it doesn’t matter, but Al mattered very much in our lives. (more…)

We’re here today to mourn the passing but also to honor the life of Bonnie Goldberg. Bonnie faced terrible challenges in her life, and yet she managed to keep going and live the best life she could. (more…)

We’re here today to mourn the passing but also to cherish the life of Carol Scharf. Carol faced death the way she faced life, with courage. Those of us who care about her and have watched her struggle understood her choice, respected it, and supported her. But now…. now that she’s gone, we feel overwhelming sadness. So let’s not concentrate on her passing but on her life. (more…)

We’re here today to mourn the passing but also to honor the life of Dori Stern, beloved wife, sister, mother and cherished friend. We are sad beyond words that we are here. But we want to say goodbye to Dori and appreciate and cherish her life.

Dori was born on May 15,1955 in Bridgeport to her parents Harold & Sylvia Dvorchik. She grew up with her brothers Robert and Bruce. If I can say to them: To lose your mother and your sister within a couple of months is beyond painful. Your mother passed away at a very advance age, but Dori should have had as long a life. Our sincere condolences go to you at this sad time. (more…)

We’re here today to mourn the passing but also to honor and cherish the life of Fern Rosenfeld, beloved mother and cherished friend. Unlike Marvin’s passing, we have known for months that this was Fern’s last stage and recently we knew that this was her time. She passed away peacefully and she will be with Marvin again now. (more…)

We’re here today to mourn the passing but also to honor and cherish the life of Harriet Miller, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, teacher, community leader, good friend, and righteous Jewish woman.

With your permission, I want to speak today in a different way that I usually do at a funeral. I usually give a biography of the person. Instead, I want to talk about Harriet’s life by speaking about a few important themes. I realized this morning that Harriet has talked to me many times about her life and she never emphasized specifics; she was always painting themes in her life. So what I say today is mostly from her. (more…)

We’re here today to mourn the passing but also to honor the life of Lester Margolis, beloved husband, brother, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and cherished friend. Les has gone through so much, for so long. So many medical crises; so many hospitalizations. Considering the fact that he had a heart attack in his forties and always thought he was living on borrowed time, and that he lived till 92-1/2…. it’s amazing, and a tribute to him, to Bernice, and to his incredible children and grandchildren and support system. If at 45, someone had told him that he was going to live till 92-1/2, he would have said: ‘I don’t believe it but where do I sign?’ So as sad as this is, and it is very sad, we’re thinking now not about this last stage of his life, not about the tough times, but about a wonderful life filled with love and hard work and giving to others. (more…)

We’re here today to mourn the passing but also to honor and cherish the life of Marjorie Menaker, beloved wife to Michael, devoted mother of Barry and Jonathan and mother-in-law to Kelly, adoring grandmother of Gary and Matthew, caring nurse for countless patients, real part of the community, and a great friend.

Margie knew she was dying. With her medical background and her deep experience with physical decline and illness, she knew the score. (more…)

We are here today to mourn the passing but also to honor and cherish the life of Harold “Sonny” Katz. Sonny was a beloved father, grandfather and great-grandfather and a cherished friend.

He was born here in New Haven on February 21,1928, so he was 91. He was the son of Arthur and Mollie Katz and the brother of Bernard, Harriett, and Shirley who we remember with affection and respect today. He became a Bar Mitzvah in March, 1941. He proudly served in the US Navy in World War ll. His career was in roofing and sheet metal with Premier Roofing. It says a lot about Sonny that he was with one company for his entire career. (more…)

We’re here today to mourn the passing but also to honor the life of Ruth Abeshouse, beloved mother, grandmother and friend. We know that Ruth has gone through a lot for a long time, and that she has had wonderful care and attention, and that this was her time.

She was born 93 years ago and grew up with her beloved brothers Archie, Meyer, and Melvin. We miss them today and remember them with affection and respect. (more…)