Obituaries

OF BLESSED MEMORY

IRVING COHEN, 93, of West Bloomfield, died March 6, 2021. He is survived by his sons and daughters-in-law, Dr. Randy and Dr. Alice Cohen, Howard and Susan Cohen; daughters, Ronna Sabbota and Pamela Siegel; grandchildren, Leah and Benjamin, Samantha and Michelle, Zachary and Kaylee; many other loving family members and friends.

Mr. Cohen was the beloved husband of the late Arlene Cohen.

Interment was at Machpelah Cemetery. Donations may be made to the American Heart Association or to a charity of one’s choice. Arrangements by Dorfman Chapel.

LAURICE

COVENSKY, 43, of Bloomfield Hills, died March 7, 2021. She is survived by her parents, Edith and Harvey Covensky; brother, Jeffrey Covensky. She was the loving aunt of Ainsley and Aden Covensky; she is also survived by many other loving family members and a world of devoted friends.

Interment was at Machpelah Cemetery. Contributions may be made to Hillel of Metro Detroit. Arrangements by Dorfman Chapel.

SIDNEY FORST, 101, of Chicago, formerly of Detroit and Southfield, died March 4, 2021.

He is survived by his sons and daughters-in-law, David and Carla Forst of Birmingham, Robert and Kelly Forst of Celebration, Fla., Chaim and

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Remembering Frank Kelley

Longtime attorney general was a friend to Jews.

JACK LESSENBERRY CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Frank Kelley, the longest-serving state attorney general in Michigan history, was, as you might guess from his name, born an Irish Catholic.

But what you may not know is that throughout his life and career, he had a uniquely close relationship with the Jewish community, and he relied heavily on two brilliant Jewish deputies in modernizing the role of his office.

Kelley, who died March 5, 2021, at the age of 96, grew up in a Detroit where the racist broadcasts of Father Charles Coughlin blared from many a radio, and there was a nasty streak of antisemitism among, too, many Irish Americans. But, that wasn’t true in Frank Kelley’s home. SETT95 VIA WIKIPEDIA

“My father used to say, ‘the Irish have been discriminated against for 500 years. But our Jewish neighbors have been discriminated against for 5,000 years, and yet we’ve both found freedom Frank Kelley and opportunity in America.’” Frank said, “No slurs against Jews were tolerated,” either in their home or the rather elegant speakeasy the elder Frank Kelley ran.

That attitude helped the future attorney general when he was a teenager and got a badly needed job in retail selling men’s clothing at the old United Shirt store on Michigan Avenue, a store he remembered as being run by “a fine Jewish guy of Dutch descent named Sam Van Horn.”

This was just supposed to be a temporary job during the Christmas rush. Times were hard, money was tight, and Kelley told me “that was a different era. Many customers would make antisemitic remarks, especially when they wanted to return things. That didn’t sit well with me.”

Kelley responded by saying, “Now, why are you saying that? We’re just normal people like you.”

When the owner found out about that, he told the manager, “Keep the kid on for as long as he wants.”

“Consequently, I was the only gentile retained after the Christmas rush,” Kelley told me, laughing, many years later.

JEWISH ADVISERS

But his best and most intense collaboration was yet to come. When Michigan Attorney General Paul Adams resigned to take a state Supreme Court seat in December 1961, Gov. John Swainson appointed Frank Kelley to the job, and he instantly made Leon Cohan, who was already an assistant attorney general, his chief deputy.

Cohan became his chief partner in remaking the office and redefining what the job of Michigan Attorney General should be. Until Frank Kelley, attorneys general had mostly been reactive, defending the state and its officials when they were sued. Kelley, with a strong assist from Cohan, made the office an aggressive crusader on behalf of the people. He started a Consumer Protection Division and appointed a Jewish woman and Yale Law School graduate, Maxine Boord Virtue, to run it.

Cohan also took him on a trip to Israel in 1971, when Frank Kelley was preparing to run for the U.S. Senate. There, Kelley told me, “I had a chance to chat with four of the most impressive people in Israel — Prime Minister Golda Meir, Abba Eban, Defense Minister Moshe Dayan and Ariel Sharon.” He found Dayan the most impressive larger-than-life figure.

Kelley lost the 1972 election but remained Michigan’s attorney general till 1999. When Leon Cohan left to become chief counsel for Detroit Edison in 1973, Kelley elevated Stanley Steinborn, a man he had hired in 1963, to be his chief deputy, a job he kept till retiring in 1997.

“My dad taught me how to look at the world,” Kelley told me. “But I’m sure he couldn’t have imagined that his son would not only be the nation’s longest-serving attorney general but would also benefit immensely from two superb deputies who were both Jewish.”

Longtime political analyst Jack Lessenberry is the co-author of The People’s Lawyer: The Life and Times of Frank Kelley (WSU Press, 2015).

OBITUARIES

OF BLESSED MEMORY

Everyone Needs an Aunt Flo!

Linda Solomon remembers her aunt, 1960s Detroit fashion maven Flo Rappaport.

LINDA SOLOMON

SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH NEWS

On March 6, 2021, my aunt, Flo Rappaport, died in Las Vegas, Nev. She was the coolest — the person who inspired me to have jazz on the stereo before breakfast.

Flo Rappaport was an iconoclast. An entrepreneur in the 1960s, she launched Ferguson’s, the famed clothing boutique on Livernois, Detroit’s Avenue of Fashion. Her shop became the “goto” for what she coined as “sportswear.” Women from everywhere would travel to Ferguson’s to purchase matching sets of hand-dyed Italian cashmere sweaters and skirts.

“Flo was a trendsetter personified,” said Carol Branston, a film producer and hair stylist, formerly of Farmington Hills, now living in Florida. “She was truly an icon.”

Florence also partnered with her sister Ida Goldman to open the popular teen boutique the Pickwick Shoppe. Flo designed all the fashions in the windows and created the style the young girls all wanted for their bat mitzvah and confirmation parties.

“I still remember the year everything was shades of pink and mauve plaid,” said Huntington Woods jewelry designer Marcy Feldman. “I was in seventh grade. That was the place to shop! I got everything there.”

Sisters Flo and Ida opened more stores in Southfield and Birmingham.

Flo was always an advocate for equality. She had friends of all ages, genders and had the mindset never ever to see differences in anyone. She loved jazz and became friends with a young Johnny Mathis before he was famous. Tony Bennett was a close pal, too. She has photos with both Tony and Johnny, and her photos are not selfies!

The library in her 1960s Detroit home featured her early love of black-and-white portraiture. She was always an animal advocate and adopted her beloved pets and encouraged family members to adopt, too.

It is rare for women to collect cars, but not for Flo. She collected vintage classic cars. Her personalized license plate on her Rolls Royce was FLO BIZ!

She painted her 1963 Avanti in black-and-white paisley to match the decor of Ferguson’s. It was the ultimate ’60s mod mobile. Also in the 1960s, she had the courage to pack up her kids, her paisley Avanti and her biggest supporter, her husband, Paul Rappaport, and move from Motown to 90210.

Florence launched Ferguson’s on the famed Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills, Calif. She later opened Ferguson’s in Century City and in the Beverly Hilton Hotel. For a number of years, she commuted with stores in both Michigan and California.

YOLO — You Only Live Once — is the way she lived her life. Flo later moved to Las Vegas. She always worked hard, she pursued every dream and remained forever cool. At 93, Flo was still cool and going strong, wearing her signature lashes and meeting pals at the gym every day, listening to Tony and Johnny and Diana Krall and hugging her two beloved rescue dogs Rolls and Bentley until COVID impacted her life and her health.

Not fair … but nothing is fair with COVID.

Now, she is gone.

Florence “Flo” Rappaport is survived with love and admiration by her devoted daughter, Lisa Rappaport Zagha; her loving son-in-law, Ron Zagha; her beloved son, Richard Rappaport; adored grandson, Perry Zagha; and her doggies, Rolls and Bentley.

She passed away on the same day four years later as her devoted and beloved husband, Paul Rappaport.

Flo is loved deeply by her sister-in-law, Mona Rappaport; brother-in-law, Marty Rott; and zillions of friends.

Flo has many beloved nieces and nephews in the Detroit area who will always say, “We will remain forever cool in celebration of the life and legacy of Aunt Flo. Everyone needs an Aunt Flo!’”

For those who wish to celebrate the life of Flo Rappaport, a contribution can be made to Community Kollel of Greater Las Vegas, 1755 Village Center, Las Vegas, Nevada 89134, lasvegaskollel.org.

Florence Rappaport

Linda Solomon was inducted to the Michigan Journalism Hall of Fame for her work as a columnist and photojournalist. She is the author of The Queen Next Door: Aretha Franklin, an Intimate Portrait and the founder of the charitable organization Pictures of Hope.

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Sarah Forst of Israel; daughters and son-in-law, Linda Forst and Stuart Kiken of Chicago, Ellen Saadia of Israel; brother and sister-in-law, David and Lorraine Forst; grandchildren, Erica, Bobby, Keith, Michael, Ilana, Daniel, Adina, Ariel, Yael, Rose, Nina, Eitan, Ilan, Yamit.

Mr. Forst was the beloved husband of the late Pearl Forst.

Contributions may be made to Chass Clinic Detroit, 5635 W. Fort St., Detroit, MI 48209. Family graveside service was held at Hebrew Memorial Park. Arrangements by Hebrew Memorial Chapel.

EDWARD

GILBERT, 69, of Walled Lake, died March 7, 2021. He is survived by his brother and sister-in-law, Michael and Carol Gilbert of Walled Lake; sisters and brothers-inlaw, Janet and Arthur Lazik of North Ridge, Calif., Shelly and Matthew Ditzhazy of Palmdale, Calif.; nieces and nephews, Shoshana Jones, Ryan Lazik, Daniel Ditzhazy, Michelle Ditzhazy, Jennifer Ditzhazy, Robert Gilbert, Katie Seilo; many other loving relatives and friends.

Mr. Gilbert was the loving son of the late Molly and the late Moe Edwin Gilbert.

Contributions may be made to Salvation Army, salvationarmyusa.org. A family graveside service was held at Clover Hill Park Cemetery in Birmingham. Arrangements by Hebrew Memorial Chapel.

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OBITUARIES

OF BLESSED MEMORY

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March 9, 2021.

He is survived by his wife of 24 years, Alisa Grossman; mother, Misha Nem; sons and daughter-in-law, Max and Anya Khutoryan, Joshua Grossman; daughter and son-in-law, Alexandra and Yechezkel Ahaaronov of West Bloomfield; a loving uncle and aunt, Genadi and Inna Bilvon; other loving family and friends.

Mr. Grossman was the loving son and son-in-law of the late Maya Nem, the late Melvin Handelzaltz, the late Helen and the late David Friedman.

Contributions may be made to Bais Chabad Torah Center, 5595 W. Maple Road, West Bloomfield, MI 48322, F.R.E.E. (Friends of Refugees of Eastern Europe),15700 W. 10 Mile Road, Suite 217, Southfield, MI 48075; or Keter Torah Synagogue, 5480 Walnut Lake Road, West Bloomfield, MI 48323. A family graveside service was held at Hebrew Memorial Park. Arrangements by Hebrew Memorial Chapel.

BONNIE DEE

MARASH, 71, of Novi, died March 4, 2021. She is survived by her sons and daughters-in-law, Scott and Julie Kamen, and Loren and Rochelle Kamen; stepdaughter, Leslie Miller; grandchildren, Shaina and Matthew Kamen; sister, Susan Hertzberg; brothers-in-law, Henry Lee and Dr. Irwin Miller; loving nieces, nephews; a world of friends.

Ms. Marash was the loving sister of the late Linda Lee and the late Pamela Miller; the dear sister-in-law of the late Roger Hertzberg.

Contributions may be made to Multiple Sclerosis Society of Michigan, 29777 Telegraph Road, Suite 1751, Southfield, MI 48034-7650, nationalmssociety.org/mig; or Sky Foundation Inc., For Pancreatic Cancer Research, 33 Bloomfield Hills Parkway, Suite 275, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48304, skyfoundationinc.org. Arrangements by Ira Kaufman Chapel.

ROBIN MUSKET, 68, of Ann Arbor, died March 9, 2021. She was the cherished sister of Judy Musket and Elliot Soloway of Ann Arbor; the loving aunt of Daniel Soloway and Lana ZilbermanSoloway of Mevaseret Zion, Israel, and Emma Rose Soloway of Chicago, Ill.; the great-aunt of Talya, Shalev and Yahel Soloway; and the daughter of the late Dudley and the late Lillian Musket.

Interment was at Adat Shalom Memorial Park. Donations may be made to Arbor Hospice Foundation, 2366 Oak Valley Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48103, arborhospice.org/donate/donation-form, or to a charity of one’s choice. Arrangements by Ira Kaufman Chapel.

RENEE POLUKOFF, 86, passed away Feb. 15, 2021

She was born to Irving and Mildred Badner in Meadville, Pa. Renee graduated from Meadville High School in 1952 and in 1957 received a B.A. in education from Ohio State University.

She married Leonard Polukoff in 1959, and they lived together in Southfield for 17 years before relocating to Clearwater, Fla., in 1976.

Mrs. Polukoff is survived by her children, Gerald and

Stephanie Polukoff of Park City, Utah, and Beth and Steve Omans, of Chicago; five grandchildren.

She was predeceased by her husband, Leonard, in 2010, and son, Robert, in 2012.

RON ROGERS, 86, a prominent figure in Detroit’s music business, died peacefully on Monday, March 1, 2021, of complications from the coronavirus; his adoring daughters were at his side.

The third of four children born to Jean and Sol Rosenberg, Ron served in the Army in the 1950s, becoming a radio operator while stationed in Germany. He married Donna (Cowie) Rogers with whom he had their two daughters. He later married Marsha Camhi, remaining close friends with her after their 18-year marriage.

A native New Yorker and Detroit lifer, Ron had an indelible reputation in Detroit’s music world. He started his career servicing jukeboxes for Decca Records. He progressed to management at local wholesale distributor Angott Records and ultimately purchased the business in 1966 with best friend Ken Walker. They grew it to become the largest one-stop in the Midwest, closing in 2006.

Ron and Ken started a series of record labels to release recordings by local artists, most notably “The Boy Is Hot” by Montage in 1983. Over the years, Ron also played drums on the side, sitting in with artists such as Dennis Coffey, Earl Klugh and Glen Campbell.

Mr. Rogers is survived by his daughters, Jennifer RogersAnderson and Laura Rogers; grandchildren, Iris and Wyatt Anderson; loving, cherished sister, Terry Neuman.

No services were held. Contributions in memory of Ron can be made to the ASPCA.

PEGGY SHAPIRO

died March 5, 2021. She was born in Detroit and moved to Chicago to work in politics after she graduated from Michigan State University.

Peggy was the chief graphic artist for Mayor Richard Daley’s Office of Special Events and started her own business and worked on numerous political campaigns and fundraisers across the country from Hollywood to New York. She designed the banners that lined the streets of Chicago for coming events.

Ms. Shapiro was the beloved, precious daughter of Reva Grace and the late Melvin Shapiro; devoted sister of Cynthia “Cindi” Korchak; loving aunt of Emma Korchak; great-aunt of Jamie.

To keep everyone safe and healthy, interment service will be private. A memorial service will be held in Chicago at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to American Friends of the Hebrew University, 100 W. Cypress Creek Road, Suite 865, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33309, afhu. org. Arrangements by Chicago Jewish Funerals-Skokie Chapel, 847-229-8822, cjfinfo.com; video link: youtu.be/d8mNIlTJ9hc.

RUTH SHAPIRO, 97, of Southfield, died March 5, 2021.

She is survived by her sons and daughters-in-law, Kenneth and Carolyn Shapiro of West Bloomfield, Fred and Carol Shapiro of West Bloomfield; daughters and son-in-law, Susan Shapiro of Buchanan,

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OBITUARIES

OF BLESSED MEMORY

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Mich., Nancy and Izhak ShapiroPikelny of Skokie, Ill.; grandchildren, Motti and Rachel Pikelny, Noam and Kaitlin Pikelny, Erin and Ed Podgorski, Zachary and Debora Shapiro, Emily and Jason Vandervoort; great-grandchildren, Nathan Pikelny, Lyla Pikelny, Arthur Pikelny, Noah Podgorski, Leonel Shapiro; many other loving relatives and friends.

Mrs. Shapiro was the beloved wife for 50 years of the late Nate Shapiro; loving daughter of the late Frieda and the late Samuel Sobel; dear sister of the late Irving Sobel, the late Alice Sobel.

Contributions may be made to Temple Israel, Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund, 5725 Walnut Lake Road, West Bloomfield, MI 48323; or AntiDefamation League, adl.org. A family graveside service was held at Clover Hill Park Cemetery. Arrangements by Hebrew Memorial Chapel.

IDA CLAIRE

SCHWARTZ, 89, of West Bloomfield and Aventura, Fla., died March 9, 2021. She is survived by her daughters and sons-inlaw, Sheri and Robert Rotenberg, and Marla and Dr. David Rosman; grandchildren, Erin and Casey Koppelman, Jeffrey and Shanna Rotenberg, Lainie (Erick) Goihman, Jaime and Eric Hirsch, and Erica and Charles Forbes; great-grandchildren, Ava and Brody Koppelman, Ryen and Shae Rotenberg, Talia Goihman, Evan Hirsch, Sydney Hirsch, Chloe Hirsh and James Forbes; brother and sister-in-law, Samuel and Marcia Bell.

Mrs. Schwartz was the beloved wife of the late Dr. Arthur Schwartz; the proud grandmother of the late Ryan Rosman.

Interment was at Beth El Memorial Park. Contributions may be made to MSU Hillel, the Lester and Jewell Morris Hillel Jewish Student Center, Ryan Scott Rosman Leadership Fund, 360 Charles St., East Lansing, MI 48823, msuhillel. org/donate; or Jewish Hospice & Chaplaincy Network, 6555 W. Maple, West Bloomfield, MI 48322, jewishhospice.org. Arrangements by Ira Kaufman chapel.

WILLIAM “BILL” H. SRIRO, 83, of Scottsdale, Ariz., passed away on Feb. 24, 2021.

He was born in Detroit on May 7, 1937. He will be missed by so many but never forgotten. His grandchildren were his pride, and he brought much joy into their lives.

Mr. Sriro is survived by his wife, Ann; daughter, Julie Skeie; son, Andrew Sriro; son, Jonathan Sriro, and his wife, Karen; six grandchildren, Cooper (23), Wyatt (21), Cody (18) and Lillybelle (17) Skeie of South Lake Tahoe, Calif., and Shayna (14) and Noah (11) Sriro of Jakarta, Indonesia; many friends and other family.

A memorial will be held at a near date as yet undetermined at the Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery in Phoenix, Ariz. Contributions will be gratefully received at Hospice of the Valley, 1510 E. Flower St., Phoenix, AZ 85014.