Home

In Memory

September 12, 2008

BERKOWITZ. Mrs. Lillian R. Berkowitz died peacefully Aug. 14, 2008, surrounded by the love and warmth of her three daughters.

Born in Philadelphia in 1927, Mrs. Berkowitz grew up in Brooklyn. In 1951 she met the love of her life, Frederick. Lillian and Fred owned and operated Albany Wines and Liquors in New Brunswick, and together they made a wonderful life in Highland Park for more than 40 years before retiring to Tamarac, Fla. Lillian was a member of Highland Park Conservative Temple and Center, serving on many committees and attending many functions. She prided herself on having a home that was a true representation of a wonderful Jewish home, always filled with warmth, good food, an adoring family, and many good friends. She was also a lifelong member of the temple's Sisterhood, Hadassah, Amity Link and ORT. She and her husband were actively involved in the American Association of Kidney Patients while living in Florida. Her husband of 48 years, Frederick, died in 1999.

Lillian is survived by daughters and sons-in-law, Marcie and Norman Rabinowitz of Henryville, Pa., Elizabeth and David Simon of Highland Park, and Andrea and Mitchell Weiss of Tampa, Fla.; 15 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. A dear friend, Maynard Klorman, remains in Tamarac; his care and love of Lillian is dearly appreciated by all the family. Interment at Mount Lebanon Cemetery, Iselin. Arrangements by Goldstein Funeral Chapel, Edison.

BLINDER. Mrs. Joan S. Lieberman Blinder died Sept. 1, 2008, at home. She was 71.

Born in the Bronx, Mrs. Blinder lived in Maplewood for 32 years before moving to Monroe 11 years ago. Before retiring in 2001, she was an administrative assistant for Best Foods, Somerset, for 23 years. She was a congregant of the Jewish Congregation of Clearbrook, Monroe.

Mrs. Blinder is survived by her husband of 49 years, Saul; sons and daughters-in-law, Benjamin and Karen of Verona, and Steven and Claire of Summerhill, Mass.; daughter and son-in-law, Karen and Jim Akerhielm of Greenville, S.C.; brother and sister-in-law, Warren and Iris Lieberman of San Antonio, Texas; and five grandchildren. Interment at Mount Lebanon Cemetery, Iselin. Arrangements by Mount Sinai Memorial Chapels, East Brunswick.

BOKOR. Mrs. Helena (née Simon) Bokor died Sept. 3, 2008, at Haven Hospice at JFK, Edison. She was 83.

Mrs. Bokor was born in Czechoslovakia and was a survivor of Auschwitz. Before moving to this country, she lived in Israel for 10 years. In the United States, she lived in Passaic before moving to Edison 20 years ago. She spoke at many high schools throughout New Jersey about her experiences in the Holocaust. She was a founding member of the Clifton YMHA Holocaust Library and a founder of the Kean University Holocaust Resource Center. She was also a life member of Hadassah in Colonia. She was a retired dress designer.

Mrs. Bokor is survived by her husband, Ernest; daughters and sons-in-law, Ronit and Merrilll Thor and Raya and Edward Warner; sister, Nomi Snek; brother, Sholmo Lebovits; and grandchildren, Lenny and Leslie Thor and Jordan and Scott Warner. Interment at Riverside Cemetery, Saddle Brook. Arrangements by Goldstein Funeral Chapel, Inc., Edison.

CHINITZ. Dr. Jack Chinitz died Aug. 26, 2008, at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, New Brunswick. He was 71.

Born in Newark, Dr. Chinitz received his medical degree in Belgium in pediatrics. He served in the U.S. Army in Berlin for three years before returning to New Jersey in 1970 to establish his pediatric practice in Edison. Upon retiring, he worked for the State of New Jersey as a pediatric consultant for the Department of Disability for 10 years.

Dr. Chinitz is survived by his loving wife of 46 years, Georgette (née Baran); son and daughter-in-law, Marc and Lori of Skokie, Ill.; daughters and sons-in-law, Anne and Bennet Taub, Natalie Keizer, and Irene and David Siegelman, all of Edison; and grandchildren, Shlomo, Sarah Moshe, Tani, Kayla, Raymond, Madeleine, Charlie, and Courtney. Arrangements by the Goldstein Funeral Chapel, Inc., Edison. Memorial contributions may be made to organizations supporting Jewish education.

DORFMAN. Mr. Joseph Dorfman died July 20, 2008, at Robert Wood Johnson Medical Center, New Brunswick. He was 89.

Residing in Newark and Middle Village, N.Y., Mr. Dorfman then lived in Edison for many years before moving to Atlanta, Ga. He served in the Army during World War II as a warrant officer. He spent much of his time in France searching for family members that survived the Holocaust. Later, he was instrumental in bringing them to the United States. He had a varied career, having been in the industrial uniform business in N.J., then later the dry cleaning and laundry business in Atlanta, with his wife. Upon returning to Edison 17 years ago, he became involved with the security business, holding the distinction of being the oldest licensed security officer in N.J. He was active in many civic and religious organizations in N.J. and Atlanta, holding many offices and receiving many prestigious honors and awards.

Mr. Dorfman is survived by his beloved wife of 61 years. Shyrl; son and daughter-in-law, Robert and Debbie of Highland Park; grandchildren, Samantha and Seth Wolchok, Jaime Dorfman, and Noah Dorfman; sisters, Phyllis Blowstein of Boynton Beach, Fla., and Grace Rubin of Lakewood; and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. Interment at Washington Cemetery, Deans. Arrangements by Crabiel Parkwest Funeral Chapel, New Brunswick. A contribution can be made to a charity of one's choice.

FERTIG. Mrs. Ethel M. Fertig died Aug. 14, 2008, at the Central New Jersey Jewish Home for the Aged in Somerset. She was 91.

Born in New Brunswick on Dec. 5, 1916, daughter of the late Sarah and David Mayrowetz, Ethel and her husband, Herbert, resided in Highland Park from 1948 until they moved in 1979 to Century Village in Deerfield Beach, Fla. She resided there until moving to the Chelsea in East Brunswick in November, 2000. She last resided at the Central New Jersey Jewish Home for the Aged in Somerset. She was a member of the Highland Park Conservative Temple, an officer of the temple's Sisterhood; a member of the Women's Auxiliary of the Central N.J. Jewish Home for the Aged; a life member of Hadassah; and a member of AMC Cancer Research Center. She was a member of the board of directors and treasurer of Richmon A. Century Village, Deerfield Beach, Fla. Ethel was a devoted and beloved daughter, wife, mother, sister, grandmother and great-grandmother, who was dedicated and adored by her immediate and extended family members and many friends. Her husband, Herbert, died in 1984. She was also predeceased by her brother, Herman Marrow, and sister, Bess Vajda.

Mrs. Fertig is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Dr. Joseph and Naomi of Monroe; daughter and son-in-law, Arlene and Alan Granetz of Bridgewater; brother, Charles Mayrowetz of Boca Raton, Fla.; grandchildren, Meredith Granetz Salamon and her husband, Jason, Michael Granetz and his wife, Joy, Emily Granetz, Joyce Fertig Kaufman and her husband, Michael, and David Fertig and his wife, Melissa; and great-grandchildren, Abbie and Zachary Salamon, Nathan and Juliet Granetz, Hallie and Marissa Kaufman, and Matthew and Joshua Fertig. Interment at Mt. Lebanon Cemetery, Iselin. Arrangements by Bruce C. VanArsdale Funeral Home, Somerville. Memorial contributions may be made to The Martin & Edith Stein Hospice, 49 Veronica Ave., Suite 206, Somerset, N.J. 08873, or the Alzheimer's Association, 225 N. Michigan Ave., Floor 17, Chicago, IL 60601.

Goldberg. Mr. Louis H. Goldberg died Sept. 3, 2008, at Trinitas Hospital, Elizabeth. He was 100.

Born in Lomza, Poland, Mr. Goldberg lived in Brooklyn before moving to Monroe 26 years ago. Before retiring in 1980, he was a wholesale poultry dealer. His wife, Ethel, died in 2006.

Mr. Goldberg is survived by his daughters and son-in-law, Barbara and Stanley Slavin of North Hills, N.Y., and Helen Molbogot of Sebastian, Fla.; son and daughter-in-law, Marshall and Addie of Monroe; sister and brother-in-law, Minnie Rosenbloom of Whiting; six grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. Memorial contributions may be made to Village for Health Care, 4400 Route 9 South, Freehold, N.J. 07728. Interment at Beth David Cemetery, Elmont, N.Y. Arrangements by Mount Sinai Memorial Chapels, East Brunswick.

Greenfarb. Retired Maj. Sanford "Sandy" Greenfarb died Sept. 4, 2008. He was 70.

Born in Bound Brook, Maj. Greenfarb lived in Nevada since 1997. He was a 30-year career U.S. Army veteran, a computer hobbyist, and a bridge and chess player.

Sandy is survived by his wife, Louise; sons and daughters-in-law, Bryan and Shirley of Indianapolis, and Michael and Josh, both of Henderson; daughter and son-in-law, Lisa and Tony Avallone of Ansbach, Germany; mother, Elsie "Bubby" of Brooklyn; sisters and brothers-in-law, Dianne and Burton Davis of Henderson, and Janice and Yosef Levy of Brooklyn; grandchildren, Bryan, Sarah, Michelle and Kevin Greenfarb and Dustyn and Ahna Avallone; and great-grandson, Devin Greenfarb. Interment at the Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Boulder City. Memorial donations may be made to: Etz Hayim, c/o Daniel Levy, 910 East End Ave., Lakewood N.J. 08701 (a tax-deductible organization that sends money to poor families in Israel to help with food, medical expenses not covered by insurance, and other necessities); Temple Sholom in Bridgewater, N.J. 08807; the American Diabetes Association; or a charity of one's choice.

GROSS. Mr. Fred T. Gross died Aug. 25, 2008, at home. He was 83.

Formerly of Woodside, N.Y., Mr. Gross was retired for many years. He was a salesman and converter of textiles in New York City.

Mr. Gross is survived by his beloved wife of 55 years, Dorothy; son and daughter-in-law, Jonathan and Carol of Westfield; daughter and son-in-law, Edle and Marvin Lewis of Cleveland; granddaughters, Emily, Amanda and Rachel Gross; granddogs, Sammy Lewis and Max Gross; and many dear friends. Memorial donations may be made to the Monroe Township First Aid Squad, 47 Monmouth Rd., Monroe Township, N.J. 08831. Entombment at Beth Israel Cemetery, Woodbridge.

HECHT. Mr. David Hecht died Aug. 19, 2008. He was 95.

Born in Poland, David came to the United States in 1920 at the age of 8 and moved with his mother and grandmother to Passaic, where relatives lived. He graduated from New York University in 1937. He serve in the Army in World War II as a weatherman in England and Ireland. He was a menswear buyer for Max Goldstein and Sons, Passaic. He and his wife were founding members of the Clifton Jewish Center and served on many committees. He was a longtime Super Sunday volunteer for the Jewish Federation of Passaic County. Four years ago he moved to The Stein Assisted Living Residence, Somerset.

Mr. Hecht is survived by his beloved wife of 66 years, Bernice (née Klee); daughters and sons-in-law, Blair and John Rubinstein of New York and Wendy and Stephen Offen of Hillsborough; and grandchildren, James Rubenstein and his wife, Elizabeth, Jill Rubenstein, Adam Rubenstein, Amy Offen and Emily Offen. Interment at Menorah Cemetery, Clifton. Arrangements by Jewish Memorial Chapel, Clifton.

SOBEL. Mr. Irving Sobel died Sept. 7, 2008, in Jersey Shore Medical Center, Neptune. He was 83.

Born in Gorlice, Poland, Mr. Sobel emigrated to the U.S. in 1949, settling in Brooklyn until moving to Aberdeen in 1963 and, recently, to Tinton Falls. His wife, Sally Wojland Sobel, died in 2007.

Mr. Sobel is survived by his daughters and sons-in-law, Laura and Steven Molinoff of Manalapan and Barbara and Robert Nami of Cream Ridge; brother and sister-in-law, Allan and Millie Sobel of Gaithersburg, Md.; sister, Pauline Borenstein of Montreal; and grandchildren, Jesse Lee, Joshua Karl, Monica Lynn and Benjamin Harley. Interment at Washington Cemetery, South Brunswick. Arrangements by Mount Sinai Memorial Chapels, East Brunswick.

STURM. Mr. Irving Sturm died peacefully at home Sept. 7, 2008. He was 78.

Born in Long Branch in 1930, Mr. Sturm was the son of Minnie (née Teicher) and Abraham. He lived in Roselle and Belmar for 48 years. A graduate of Jefferson High School, Rutgers University and Rutgers Law School, he specialized in real estate and municipal law. In addition to private practice, he was the Roselle Borough attorney for 25 years, and a municipal judge for the Township of Winfield Park. He retired from practice in 2004 to live permanently in Belmar. His commitment to charitable organizations is most evident in his work with the American Cancer Society. He proudly held the position of president of the New Jersey Division. His involvement in the community extended to Congregation Anshe Chesed of Linden, where he also served as president. While he was extremely proud of his work, his greatest joy was his family.

Mr. Sturm is survived by his devoted wife of 52 years, Arlene (née Lehner); sons and daughters-in-law, Neal and Bonnie of Randolph, and Barry and Angela of Freehold; daughter and son-in-law, Elyse and Paul Novak of West Haven, Conn.; beloved grandchildren, Max, Sarah, Lauren, Kayla and Kylie; loving sister and brother-in-law, Marjorie and Martin Siegel of Belmar; and many nieces, nephews, extended family and friends. Memorial donations may be made to the Parkinson's Disease Foundation, 1359 Broadway, Suite 1509, New York, N.Y. 10018. Arrangements by Bloomfield-Cooper Jewish Chapels, Ocean.

TOFFEL. Mr. Mervin Toffel died July 5, 2008, at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital. He was 88.

Born in Jersey City, Mr. Toffel lived in Toms River for 18 years before moving to Clearbrook, Monroe. He enjoyed reading, photography, and was an avid three-league bowler, with a high score of 297. In the Army during World War II, he served in the Ardennes-Rhineland region of Central Europe and participated in the Battle of the Bulge. During his military career, he received the Victory Medal, the American Theater Ribbon, the European-African-Middle Eastern Ribbon, the Combat Infantryman Badge and the Good Conduct Medal. Owner of Hudson Paint and Wallpaper, Jersey City, until retiring in 1979, he continued working part-time at the First National Bank of Toms River. 

Mr. Toffel is survived by his wife of 67 years, Charlotte Hoffer; daughter and son-in-law, Eileen and Jeffrey Wechter of Upper Freehold; grandchildren, Brian and Nicole Wechter of Atlanta, and Jill and Matthew Arnold of Boston; great-grandchildren, Madison and Easton Wechter, and Eliot Arnold; and many nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and great-nephews. Interment at Beth Israel Memorial Park, Woodbridge. Arrangements by Bloomfield Cooper Jewish Chapels, Manalapan. Memorial donations may be made to the American Stroke Association, 1 Union Street, No. 301, Robbinsville, N.J. 08691.

Trachtenberg. Mr. Meyer Trachtenberg died Sept. 7, 2008, at home. He was 87.

Born in Manhattan, Mr. Trachtenberg lived in Colonia before moving to New Brunswick 14 years ago. Prior to retiring in 1987, he owned Harvest Wines and Spirits, Edison. He was a 1st lieutenant bombardier navigator in the Army Air Corps during World War II, having proudly flown more than 50 missions. He was past president of the Central N.J. Liquor Stores Association, former chaplain for the N.J. Liquor Store Association, as well as the cantor for Congregation B'nai Jacob, Avenel, and Congregation Adath Israel, Woodbridge. He was also active in the Plays in the Park, having been in "Damn Yankees," "Evita," and others. His wife of 62 years, Mildred, died in 2006.

Mr. Trachtenberg is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Marshall and Naomi of East Brunswick; daughter and son-in-law, Alta and Dr. Marc Malberg of Princeton; sister and brother-in-law, Ethel and Harold Grossman of Brooklyn; and grandchildren, Sarah Trachtenberg and Ariel Malberg. Memorial contributions may be made to the Jewish Federation of Greater Middlesex County, 230 Old Bridge Tpke., South River, N.J. 08882, or to the Alzheimer's Foundation, 12 Roszel Rd., Princeton, N.J. 08540. Interment at Beth David Cemetery, Elmont, N.Y. Arrangements by Mount Sinai Memorial Chapels, East Brunswick.