John Gellman Jack “John” Marvin Gellman passed away on December 24, 2020, after a brief battle with COVID-19. A tireless champion for synagogues throughout his life, his many years of devotion to the Jewish community in general and Congregation Anshei Israel in particular were well-known. Having joined the congregation in 1977,… Read more »
Barbara Janoff "BJ" Kaplan Barbara Janoff “BJ” Kaplan passed away on Jan. 30, 2021 at age 90. BJ was a beautiful, gracious, genteel and dynamic presence in her communities in New York, Tucson, Washington, D.C., and Florida. She brought wit and humor, creativity and spontaneity to her family, friends and colleagues. She was… Read more »
Harold Basser at his favorite restaurant in Tucson, Vivace Long-time Tucson resident, Harold Basser, age 94, died of complications from COVID-19 on Saturday, Jan. 30, 2021 at Tucson Medical Center. Earlier in his life, as a real estate developer in Boston, Harold helped pioneer the restoration and renovation of abandoned Industrial Revolution era factories and commercial buildings in… Read more »
Richard Louis Stein, aka Cactus Dick, 85, died Jan. 10, 2021. Born in Detroit, Dick spent close to 80 years in Tucson. A Tucson High School Badger, class of 1953, Dick served in the United States Army before returning home to work in the family businesses, Campbell Avenue Hardware… Read more »
Andrew Lorin Rosen, age 66, died on Jan. 19, 2021 from Covid complications. Andy is survived by his wife, Gina, and his three children, Jared, Edie and Emanuel. Andy had a passion for his family history and jazz. Born in Brooklyn, he spent the last three decades in Tucson… Read more »
Henri Servin, Ph.D., 94, died of Covid-related pneumonia on Jan. 8, 2021. Servin’s son was at his side when he died, and his wife, Genevieve was able to say a final goodbye over video. Henri was born to a Jewish family in Poland in 1926 and grew up in… Read more »
Nancy Bee (nee Shanker Sirota), 92, or Reseda, California, died, Dec. 29, 2020. Survivors include Mike and Pam Sirota of Los Angeles, and Yvonne Cook, Phyllis Bee, Brian and Jane Bee, and Sharon Aviva Bee all of Tucson; eight grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren; and a community of friends at… Read more »
Minnette Doris Marks Friedman, 84, died Dec. 31, 2020. Born in Irvington, New Jersey, on June 6, 1937, Minnette was the daughter of Paul Jerome Marks and Jeannette Samuels Marks. As an only child, Minnette developed a strong sense of independence and self-reliance. After graduating as the valedictorian from… Read more »
Isidore Shapiro, 101, died Dec. 27, 2020. Izzy was born in 1919 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and moved with his family to New York City a few years later. Izzy dedicated his professional life to helping others: working first as a probation officer, then as a social worker and the… Read more »
Goldie Shapiro, 93, died Oct. 6, 2020. Goldie was born in New York City in 1927 to Isidore and Rachel Grushka, immigrants from what is now Poland, who were active members of the Workmen’s Circle (now named the Workers Circle). The family lived in the Bronx until she was… Read more »
Allen Berns, 92, died Jan. 5, 2021 of complications related to COVID-19. Originally from Chicago, Allen was a 25-year resident of Tucson. He retired young and enjoyed life. Allen had the gift of gab and made friends everywhere he went. As Al would say, “You have one go around… Read more »
Rahmat Aziz, 93, died Nov. 28, 2020 Mr. Aziz was born in the Punjab to Bibi and Jon Mohammed. He grew up in a small village, always motivated to expand beyond its boundaries, and saw education as a way out. His love of learning and passion for reading drove… Read more »
Marvin Glassberg, 84, died Dec. 31, 2020 at Peppi’s House Hospice in Tucson from Covid pneumonia, surrounded virtually by his loving family. Born in Spring Valley, New York, he moved to Tucson with his parents, and graduated from Tucson High School and the University of Arizona. He had a… Read more »
Morton Kiel Kranitz, 94, died Dec. 11, 2020. He was born in St. Joseph, Missouri, and served in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II. He was a successful shoe salesman before entering the automotive business. He was the longtime proprietor of Kranitz Automotive Group (later Mort’s… Read more »
Esther Tannenhaus Starr, 95, died Nov. 24, 2020. Born in New York, on December 21, 1924, she raised her family in Freehold, N.J. prior to relocating to Tucson in 1986. She was a committed volunteer throughout her life; devoting her time and energies to a variety of auxiliaries, hospitals… Read more »
Dr. Melvin Burton Margolis, 87, died Dec. 26, 2020. He was born in Chicago on June 20, 1933, to the late Hyman and Ida Margolis. Melvin was the beloved husband of the late Letty Berman Margolis for 56 years. Melvin served active duty as a dental officer with the… Read more »
Sidney Hirsh, 90, died Dec. 9, 2020. Sid was born Aug. 22, 1930 in Shamokin, Pennsylvania, to Rose and David Hirsh. David owned a successful shoe store, The Bootery. For health reasons, the family moved to Tucson in 1944. After graduating from Tucson High, Sid attended the University of… Read more »
Dr. Lee Robinson Chutkow, 93, died Nov. 30, 2020. In no specific order, Lee loved classical music, Shakespeare’s writings, Shabbat morning services, and chocolate ice cream. He was a lifelong learner and his desire for knowledge did not lessen with age. Barnes & Noble bookstore was his “Disneyland” and… Read more »
Thelma Nathanson, 83, died Nov. 3, 2020, surrounded by family. Born in Midland, Michigan, Thelma was happily married for over 60 years to her late husband, Gerald Nathanson. She was a worldwide traveler and had an uncanny ability to make lifelong friends wherever she went. She had a keen… Read more »
Amanda Leigh Cohn, 44, died Oct. 18, 2020. Amanda was born in Nashville, Tennessee. She moved to Tucson as an infant, and lived in California since she was 19. Amanda loved being with her family and friends. She had an adventurous spirit, adored children and animals, was a talented… Read more »
