22 minute read
Obituaries
ALAN BARTEL
VIRGINIA BEACH—Dr. Alan G. Bartel passed away August 9 at his home, surrounded by his family.
Born in Baltimore, Md., he was the youngest son of Ralph and Mollie Bartel. Alan moved with his family to Miami, Fla. as a young boy and graduated from Miami Senior High. He attended the University of Florida and then graduated from the University of Florida Medical School where he worked with Dr. Robert Cade’s team in the testing and development of Gatorade.
Upon graduation, he served in the U.S. Army Public Health Service and headed the Evans County research project for cardiovascular risk factors. After completing his residency, internship, and cardiology fellowship at Duke University Hospital, Alan came to Tidewater in 1973 where he was a professor at Eastern Virginia Medical School and the first fully trained and accredited cardiologist in Southeastern Virginia. He was one of the co-founders of the original cardiology practice in town, Cardiovascular Associates, and was instrumental in helping bring advanced cardiology care to the region. He modernized the first cardiac catheterization lab for adults in Tidewater and created the first cardiac stress test lab in the area. Dr. Bartel started the first cardiovascular rehab program and numerous other cardiac care programs in the state.
Over a career spanning nearly 45 years, Dr. Bartel cared for thousands of patients who often traveled great distances seeking his help. He authored many articles in prestigious medical journals and became president of the Tidewater chapter of the American Heart Association.
In addition to his many professional affiliations and endeavors, Alan also was very generous with his time, serving in the Hampton Roads community. He was very active in the Jewish community, serving on the board of directors of the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater, Ohef Sholom Temple, and various other agencies.
Alan was also very involved in the arts community where he served on the board of directors of the Virginia Arts Festival. Upon retirement, he rekindled his passion for the flute, becoming an ardent and determined student. In his own, unique way, Alan found a means of sharing his love of the flute by staging performances for close friends and family. The performances were usually conducted at his home or a friend’s home, and he would carefully select and invite 20 or 30 friends that he felt would really appreciate his music. In addition, he was instrumental in the development of an annual “Musicale” fundraiser for the Virginia Arts Festival, where he organized and played multiple pieces of music with his flute and accompanying musicians—both professional and amateur. The Musicale became an annual event, even as Alan was in the middle of his many battles with cancer and raised a substantial amount of money. He was a long-standing member of a local klezmer band and many of his neighbors and friends at the North End of the Oceanfront could often hear Alan playing his flute on his deck while walking by on the beach.
Alan was a co-founder (along with his wife Dolores, of blessed memory) of the International Network for Persons with Autism and Hearing and Visual Impairment, which was one of the original databases and resources to help those dealing with autism, as well as deafness and/or blindness. He was appointed by Governor Chuck Robb to the Virginia Board for People with Disabilities and served with distinction. On the local level, Alan and Dolores were active supporters of the Chaverim Group at Jewish Family Service and every summer they generously hosted a much-anticipated social event at their home for clients, family, and staff. He was also a founding member and longtime supporter of Hearts and Homes, a private nonprofit organization that invests in residential properties and provides subsidized housing for people with developmental disabilities in Virginia Beach. Alan was exceptional in many ways, but his role in the disability community was unique and admired by all.
More than anything else, Alan was most proud of his family. He was predeceased by parents Ralph and Mollie Bartel, and his loving wife of more than 60 years, Dolores Bartel.
He is survived by his sons Gary and Craig, his three loving granddaughters: Haley, Carly, and Jody, his “honorary” daughter Shannon, his nephews Jeff and Doug Bartel, and a devoted extended family. The family would like to thank the many doctors, nurses, and staff at Virginia Oncology Associates, Jewish Family Service, and the Freda Gordon Hospice who helped care for Alan during his long battle with lymphoma, as well as Abbey Pachter who gave him much joy in the last months of his life. We would especially like to express our deep gratitude to Dr. Tom Alberico whose friendship and commitment to Alan extended his life by many years.
Graveside services were held at Princess Anne Memorial Gardens in Virginia Beach with Rabbi Rosalin Mandelberg officiating. Memorial donations may be made to Jewish Family Service at www.jfshamptonroads.org.
LORRAINE BROWN BRODY
GREENVILLE, N.C.—Lorraine Brown Brody passed away on August 30, 2022 at her home.
Born and raised in Norfolk, Virginia, Lorraine graduated from Maury High School. While pursuing further studies in retailing she met her husband Morris (blessed memory) who she married in 1952 and moved to Greenville, North Carolina.
With Lorraine by his side, Morris, along with his brothers and other family relatives, built the Brody’s fashion stores in Greenville and other eastern North Carolina markets. Many may remember Lorraine working the retail floors of the Brody’s stores or scouring the New York clothing market as the buyer of high-end ladies ready-to-wear and accessories. A
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woman of impeccable style and taste she was often sought out for her fashion advice and insight for special events or occasions. She worked at Brody’s until the business was sold in 1998.
Lorraine was a class act. A person of high character, always kind, considerate, generous and gracious to all; Lorraine knew no strangers. A great listener, she was interested in individuals regardless of their background and deeply cared about the well-being of others. With a contagious laugh and big smile, she made everyone feel at ease.
Lorraine was active early on in her community and gave back as a Girl Scout Troop leader, Cub Scout Den Mother, past president of the Elmhurst School PTA and president and longterm member of the Greenville Service League, where she was the recipient of Ormand Service Cup.
Always one to help others, Lorraine was an engaged, selfless person who along with Morris and his brothers helped create the Brody Medical Scholars program at East Carolina University which today has assisted more than 140 doctors graduate from medical school basically debt-free. Lorraine and Morris supported the Brody Medical Research Grants bringing key dollars to the School of Medicine in its efforts to secure national research grants. Quiet doers, they both set solid examples with their spirit of service for their son, daughterin-law, and grandchildren to follow all of whom remain involved in many of those endeavors.
A beach lover her whole life, Lorraine and Morris spent many summers with family and friends at their home in Virginia Beach.
Morris and Lorraine were original members of Congregation Bayt Shalom synagogue in Greenville.
A private family graveside was held in Kinston followed by a memorial service in the Wilkerson Funeral Chapel.
A cherished sister, aunt, devoted mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, her beloved family was always her primary focus. Nothing made her happier than spending time with her extended family and creating happy memories. Lorraine was preceded in death by her parents, Nathan and Annie Brown, husband, Morris Brody, sister and brother-in-law Ruth and Herman Smith, Edell Gabel, Brody brothers- and sisters-in-law Sam, Raymond, Leo (Charlotte), William (Eleanor), Abram (Sarah), Reuben (Ethel), Jake (Ida), J. S “Sammy” (Myrt), Ruth (Abe) and Alex (Jackie).
She is survived by her son, Hyman and wife, Stacy, of Greenville; granddaughter Samantha Moses and husband David of Raleigh, grandson William Brody and wife Laura Haft of Raleigh, grandson Nathan Brody and wife Lindsey of Washington, D.C.; great-grandchildren Hudson and Brody Moses and Colby (Coco) Brody of Raleigh as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
Donations to The Brody Medical Scholars Fund, c/o ECU Medical Health and Science Foundation, 2200 S. Charles Boulevard, Suite 1500, Mail Stop 659, Greenville, NC 27858.
SHOSHANA DAVID
SADDLE BROOK, NJ—Shoshana David, age 84, passed away on Sunday, August 21, 2022.
Shoshana was born June 18, 1938.
A graveside service for Shoshana was held at Riverside Cemetery in Saddle Brook, N.J.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.bernheimapterkreitzman.com for the David family.
ARTHUR DIAMONSTEIN
Norfolk—Arthur Diamonstein, 92, died peacefully on August 14 in his home at Harbor’s Edge surrounded by his loving family.
Arthur was born on March 11, 1930 in Norfolk, Va. He was predeceased by his wife, Renee Gartner Diamonstein. His parents, Albert and Ida Goldblatt Diamonstein, his brother, Robert Diamonstein, and his stepmother, Ida H. Diamonstein, also predeceased him.
Arthur grew up in the Larchmont section of Norfolk and graduated from Maury High School in 1948. He went on to attend Virginia Polytechnic Institute (Virginia Tech) majoring in Business Administration. He served his country with great pride in the Korean War as part of the Army’s 45th Thunderbird Division until the end of the conflict, being awarded a Purple Heart for his bravery. He then served in the Army Reserves until he was honorably discharged in August of 1960.
Following active duty, Arthur returned home and began work at Paramount Bedding, the family mattress manufacturing business founded in 1935 and originally operated by the Comess and Diamonstein families. Arthur served in many capacities at Paramount, starting out as a truck driver and shipping
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Arthur was a generous and caring man whose devotion to his community and family was the very essence of his life, serving on numerous boards with a humble nature. He was the ultimate pragmatist and had a gift for making deals happen. The many community organizations and roles he dedicated his time to include Norfolk Academy, Board of Trustees and vice president of buildings and grounds; Old Dominion University, Board of Visitors and Rector; Chrysler Museum of Art, Board of Trustees and treasurer; The General Douglas MacArthur Foundation, Board of Trustees and chairman; Fort Norfolk Retirement Center also known as Harbor’s Edge, Board of Trustees and chairman; and the boards of Virginia Opera, Tidewater Winds, Virginia Symphony, and Ohef Sholom Temple. Additionally, Arthur served as chairman of the board of directors of the Norfolk Convention and Visitors Bureau and he was proud to say that under his leadership the Bureau made significant steps in positioning Norfolk as a prime Mid-Atlantic tourism and meeting destination. The Cosmopolitan Club recognized Arthur as Norfolk’s First Citizen for 2001, honoring his lifelong commitment to his hometown.
Arthur married the love of his life, the late Renee Gartner Diamonstein, in 1955. They were married for nearly 64 years until Renee’s passing in 2019. Arthur and Renee raised their family in the famous “round house” in Norfolk’s Algonquin Park.
He is survived by his three children and their spouses: Richard Diamonstein (Beth), Jamie Diamonstein (Carol), and Anne Fleder (Lawrence). He was also blessed with seven grandchildren, Joshua (Cara), Eric (Callie), Claire, Emily, Alyson, Kendall, and Audrey. In his final years, Arthur lit up whenever he was able to see and hold his three great-grandchildren. When he could not see them, he was able to watch plenty of videos and have FaceTime calls with Georgia, Riley, and Barrett Diamonstein.
Renee and Arthur traveled the world, visiting many places and experiencing many cultures, creating wonderful memories and photo albums along the way. He was not shy about giving Renee credit for his interests in art and travel. Renee and Arthur were dedicated to their community and gave generously of their time and talent.
Arthur was a visionary. He was relentless in keeping in shape, enjoying his weekly tennis matches and cycling or walking the streets of Norfolk long before that was considered “a thing,” as well as boating and fishing. He loved to tell jokes and make people laugh. In essence, Arthur was a friend to everyone who had the pleasure of knowing him.
The family had a private burial. A memorial service and reception will take place on September 14 at 11 am at Ohef Sholom Temple in Norfolk. Rabbi Rosalin Mandelberg will officiate. Memorial donations may be made to The General Douglas MacArthur Foundation and The Chrysler Museum of Art, Arthur and Renee Diamonstein Glass Purchase Fund or a charity of the donor’s choice. H.D. Oliver Funeral Apartments Norfolk Chapel.
VIVIAN FISH FORMAN
Virginia Beach—Vivian Fish Forman died at the age of 83 on August 22, 2022.
She was beloved and survived by her four children (and their spouses), Julie (Lewis Kay), Joseph, Sharon (Steven Marx) and Alisa, her grandchildren Raphael, Shira, Abby, Josh, and Ben, and her sisters Miriam and Cherie (Bill Artz), and sister-in-law Joy (Judah) Fish. She was predeceased by her parents, Joseph and Esther, and her brothers Judah, Charlie, and David.
Vivian was a devoted wife for more than 30 years to the father of her children and her former husband, Rabbi Lawrence A. Forman, serving as the rabbi’s wife in his pulpits including at Ohef Sholom Temple in Norfolk, Virginia.
Born and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio, she lived in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and Cleveland, Ohio, moving in 1970 to the Tidewater Virginia area, where she remained.
Vivian was a proud graduate of Walnut Hills High School and the University of Cincinnati. She worked as a primary school teacher and later as a Hebrew School teacher at several synagogues in the Tidewater area. She served as president of Congregation Beth El Sisterhood and on other committees there, as well as working with Young Audiences Arts for Learning. Vivian was a lifelong learner. She carried a deeply religious spirit and her Jewish faith defined her very essence. Vivian loved to go to synagogue and study groups, as well as studying the weekly Torah portion on her own. Since 2020, she regularly attended Sabbath and holiday services, classes, and Passover seders on Zoom, most often those led by her children.
Vivian loved the arts and culture, including Shakespeare and classical music. She played piano and listened to the Metropolitan Opera broadcasts nearly every Saturday. One of her greatest joys was listening to her young children play string quartets and solo instruments and she instilled in all of them a deep love of music and the arts. Not everyone knew that Vivian was a lover of the many family pets and of roses, and that she was a devoted Cincinnati Reds baseball fan. She was also a fanatical Jeopardy aficionado, with an incredible storehouse of knowledge, including every major university’s fight song, details of American history, and Mozart Köchel and Bach BWV listing numbers.
Vivian wanted to be known as a good mother and a good person—and she was! She was devoted to her many friends and spent hours on the phone connecting with them. Vivian embodied the ideal of “love your neighbor as yourself” and cherished her literal and virtual neighbors. Her heart was open to so many causes that she could not resist giving to an incredible array of charities, including medical, scientific, educational, political, patriotic, cultural, and Jewish organizations.
Vivian lived by the saying from one of her favorite Jewish texts, the Ethics of the Fathers (Pirkei Avot): “Who is rich? Those who are happy with their lot.” She was always grateful for her blessings, especially her family and friends, enriching experiences, and the support of those who were part of her medical team. She particularly enjoyed connecting with her family and other communities during COVID on Zoom, which enabled her to see her loved ones who live and work far from her home and to celebrate birthdays and other milestones together.
Her family extends their heartfelt gratitude to all who helped take care of Vivian during the past challenging years, with special appreciation for those at the Beth Sholom Terrace assisted living facility who cared for her during her final years when she faced many health difficulties with grace and resilience.
Vivian will be deeply missed by so many. May her memory be an abiding blessing. Donations in memory of Vivian and her beautiful life can be made to Hadassah University Medical Center in Jerusalem (https://www.hadassah.org/ donate). Notes of condolence may be sent to 4formankids@gmail.com or to Joseph Forman, 296 Barbertown Idell Rd., Frenchtown, New Jersey 088254015. Her funeral was held at Temple Israel in Norfolk, and included a private burial in suburban Philadelphia, where she was laid to rest with other members of her family.
LEONARD GREENEBAUM
BALTIMORE, MD.—Leonard Greenebaum of Baltimore passed away on Wednesday, August 17, 2022 at the age of 94.
Born in 1928 in Baltimore, Lenny received a Bachelor of Science in Business from Johns Hopkins University. In 1953, Leonard married the love of his life, Lois Cohen, from Charleston, S.C., who
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would remain his partner in life for almost 70 years.
Leonard was a financial advisor and a partner with John C. Legg, which later merged with Mason & Company to become Legg Mason. He started directly out of college at the age of 20 in 1948. He and Standish McCleary opened the first branch operation of Legg Mason in Pikesville in January 1960. He served as manager until 1973. Leonard worked in the financial services field for more than 70 years, concluding his career with Janney Montgomery Scott in the Quarry Lake office in 2018.
Leonard was a member of the Pikesville Artillery of the MD National Guard, 1948–1961. He spent most of his life as a member of Har Sinai Congregation and served on their board of directors. In his later years, he was a member of the Baltimore Hebrew Congregation. In addition, he served on the board of directors for the Hebrew Burial & Social Service Society of Maryland and served as the president for several terms. He was an active member of the Pikesville Rotary Club for many years.
In the 1970s, he served as the president of B.A.T.O. (Baltimore Association of Tennis Officials) and umpired at numerous professional tennis tournaments. Leonard was a lifetime member of the Suburban Club of Baltimore County, where he was an avid golfer and tennis player. He enjoyed playing bridge, traveling with family and friends, and photography.
Leonard leaves his beloved wife of nearly 69 years, Lois Cohen Greenebaum, his two daughters, Lynn Sachs, her husband Jeffry, Carol Hess, her husband John, and his four grandchildren, Julie Hess, Michael Hess married to Aimee Silva Hess, Sara Sachs, and Rachel Sachs. He was devoted to his entire family.
Services took place at Sol Levinson’s Chapel in Pikesville, Md. Interment was in Har Sinai Cemetery. Memorial gifts may be made in Leonard’s name to the Hebrew Burial & Social Service Society of Maryland, Inc., the American Cancer Society, or the charity of the donor’s choice.
CHARLES GREENHOOD
NORFOLK—Charles Greenhood, 71, of Portsmouth, passed away August 30, 2022 in Norfolk, Va.
Charles was born in Portsmouth to Alfred A. and Dena K. Greenhood on February 25, 1951. He graduated from ODU in 1976. After college, he opened Greenhood Distributors with his father in Portsmouth. In 1986, he and wife Kathy launched the West Indies Yogurt Co. in Saint Maarten, AN. In 1993, they returned to Portsmouth to open Brutti’s Restaurant & Catering.
Charles delighted in spreading joy and laughter to the people around him. He will be remembered for his generosity, his advocacy and commitment to his hometown and his BagelNutz.
He is survived by his wife, Kathy, children Ellisha, Allison, Aaron, Max, and Molly and grandchildren Sam, Alex, Aidan, Dalia, Theodore, and Jacob. He is predeceased by his sister, Theodora (d. 2007), and parents Alfred (d. 1980) and Dena (d. 2003).
A graveside service was held in Gomley Chesed Cemetery by Cantor Jen Reuben.
ROBERT ALLEN HELFANT
MIAMI, FLA.—Robert Allen Helfant, of Key West, died in Miami on August 10, 2022 following a courageous battle with cancer.
He was the son of Jack and Shirley Lipsky Helfant, of blessed memory. He is survived by his wife, Robin Helfant. They have been together for 23 years and have a beautiful blended family with Robert’s daughter Holly Helfant and Robin’s daughters Jenny Stanton (Josh) and Lisa Peterson. Their grandson, Liam Stanton, was a joy in his grandpa’s life. Robert is also survived by his sisters Sheila Josephberg (Bob), Joan Irvine (Bobby Dolsey), and Rebecca Saunders. Nephews Tobin Irvine (Aditi), Jaime Irvine (Kristina), and niece Jennifer Josephberg, great-nieces Indira Irvine, and Effie Irvine and stepmother Dorcas Helfant Browning.
The Virginia Beach Fire Department mourns the passing of Master Firefighter Robert Helfant who joined the department in October 1984 and retired in May 2010. While with the VBFD, Robert was assigned to the HAZMAT team, Fire Instructor, and was a member of the FEMA VA-TF2 Urban Search and Rescue Team, which included the Oklahoma City bombing and the Pentagon on 9/11. In addition, Robert served honorably with the PACHVRS from 1977 in many roles for over two decades and obtained life membership in 1988. He served as Rescue Captain (chief), VBEMS Dive Team Commander, VBEMS Duty Chief (field supervisor), and was the former Technical Rescue Operations commander (TechObs1). Robert was awarded the VBEMS Medal of Honor in 1993.
A celebration of Robert’s life was held at the Harry E. Diesel Fire Training Center in Virginia Beach. Donations may be made in Robert’s memory to the John H. Burbage Cancer Center, 9919 Stephen Decatur Highway, Ocean City, Maryland 21842.
LORETTA CRAFTON HIRSCHFELD
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA.—No dance floor needed. If music was playing, Loretta was dancing. Even as Alzheimer’s robbed her memory, she never forgot her dance moves, dancing right up to the end. She took her last turn on the dance floor on August 10, 2022.
Loretta was a regal fashionista, an artist, a philanthropist, a volunteer, co-owner of Soup “N” Such, friend to many, and life of the party. In addition to being an amazing mother and grandmother to her own, she had a deep affection and concern for less fortunate children and animals, always fretting about child hunger and chasing snakes away from the birds’ nests on the farm. And she loved the family farm—the sunrises, sunsets over the Blue Ridge Mountains with a cold beer, the visiting cows, and, at its peak, the days with grandchildren running around on the land, swinging on the swing, jostling for space on the hammock, stomping through mud, and fishing the pond.
Loretta is survived by her three sons and daughters-in-law, Mark and Kim Milby, Eric and Megan Milby, and R. Todd and Shannon Hirschfeld, stepsons Kevin Hirschfeld (Shelby) and Jason Hirschfeld (Michelle); grandchildren Jack, Nick, Ella, Maggie, Sarah, Tenley, Emilie, Afton, Tanner, Lexi, Lanie, Caylee, and Ethan, sisters Sandy Sawyer, Connie Motley, and sisters-in-law Butch Crafton, Estie Cohen (Nick), and JoAnn Glass (Ron).
Loretta was predeceased by her husband Richard, her parents John and Laura Crafton, and her brothers Michael and Delbert Crafton.
The family hosted a celebration of her life on her beloved Traveler’s Rest farm in Afton, Va. Donations in her honor can be made to alz.org or NoKidHungry.org.
IRV HODIES
VIRGINIA BEACH—Irv Hodies, 93, passed away Saturday, August 20, 2022 in Virginia Beach, Virginia.
Irv was born July 26, 1929 to Meyer and Freda (née Horowitz) Hodies in Brooklyn, New York. He graduated from Newburgh Free Academy in 1947 and afterward completed his military obligation honorably with the USAF. During his time in the Air Force, Irv made a debut as a southpaw pitcher for an Oklahoma semi-pro baseball team.
Irv moved from Newburgh to New York City in the early 1950s and began a career as a stockbroker working on Wall Street. That career was a life-long passion, enjoying daily monitoring of the financial markets and individual stocks. In 1972, he moved the entire family to Virginia Beach to accept a position as an investment portfolio manager for Virginia National Bank.
He met the love of his life, Helen, on a blind date in New York City and they were happily married for 38 years until her passing.
Irv was a pilot and member of the Civil Air Patrol. He was a Temple Emanuel Men’s Club president, a life-long runner, Tidewater Strider, weightlifter into his 90s, tennis player, sailor, and dedicated Giants and Yankees fan. For over 40 years, you could see Irv every Sunday at Seashore State Park for his long run.
In addition to being predeceased by his parents, Irv was predeceased by his wife Helen and later in his life, a loving
