OBITUARIES BERTRAM DONALD AARON WILLIAMSBURG—Bertram Donald Aaron died peacefully within spitting distance of 100 years on December 31, 2021 with close family by his side. The Daily Press “Citizen of the Year” at age 97, Bert was a visionary, public citizen, entrepreneur, and philanthropist. It has been said that he was a man of a million ideas and acted on every one of them. Born in 1922 in Newport News, Bert was the eldest son of Harry and Lillian Aaron. His father was the owner of the famous La Vogue Shoppe and his grandfather the American Fashion Shop. He grew up learning merchandizing and customer service from the dinner conversations between his parents and grandparents. “The Most Priceless Ingredient in Business is a Good Name” hung over the entrance to the La Vogue Shoppe—a motto that ensured Harry’s success and that of his children. Bert began his own successful business in Los Angeles, then New York, and retired to Williamsburg in 1990. A voracious reader of science fiction, he built his first radio at age 9, attained his Amateur Radio License at 17, and as a Cadet at VPI organized the very first Signal Unit for the Corps of Cadets. He attained the rank of Captain in the US Army in the Pacific theater during World War II, eventually leading to positions as Aeronautical Research Scientist at NACA (now NASA) and then as an engineer for the US Army Signal Corps where he received the Commanders Medal for his service to national defense. Leaving the Signal Corp, he began his career as an entrepreneur in applications sales for devices in electronics, medicine, computing, and optics. Bert held professional engineer certificates from Virginia, Pennsylvania, and New York, with senior membership in the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers where he served on the board of the Microwave Theory and Techniques Society, as well as chair of the Los Angeles and Long Island, N.Y. chapters. He remained very active in professional societies for the electronics industry and national defense, including as president of the Hampton Roads Chapter of the Society for Electronic Defense. Having lost two wives to breast cancer, Bert organized and chaired the first Virginia Breast Cancer Foundation Symposium on
state-of-the-art medicine for breast cancer diagnosis and treatment. He initiated the Kiwanis Polo Cup, and served on the Kiwanis Board. His passion and support for the performing arts—particularly in Tidewater Virginia—could be seen through his work organizing and helping to maintain the Greater Williamsburg Virginia Symphony Society after the Symphony were about to cease local operations for lack of an audience. In addition to serving 25 years on the board of the Symphony, he also served as chair of the Williamsburg James City Arts Commission. When the requirement arose for a tenured Chair of Jewish Studies at Christopher Newport University, Bert gave the lead gift. Endowed programs for the Cleveland Clinic, Virginia Symphony, and Hillel at Virginia Tech bear his name. A lover of travel, he and family covered every continent except Antarctica. Bert was a member of Rodef Sholem Congregation in Newport News, as well as Temple Beth-El of Williamsburg. Bert was predeceased by his first wife Marcia Kurke, second wife Judith Heilbraun, and brother Leonard Aaron. He is survived by his loving wife Gladys Aaron, daughters Dr. Cynthia Aaron and Jill Aaron MacPherson (Donald), son Dr. Harry Aaron (Joan), and grandchildren Caleigh, Sarah, and David. Bert is also survived by a cherished extended family including brother Cyril Aaron (Patti), nieces and nephews Hugh Aaron (Laura), Debra Aaron (Bonnie), Rabbi Scott Aaron (Donni), and Jennifer Katz (Larry), as well as step-children Jeffrey Heilbraun, Harris Cohen (Karen), Brad Cohen, Stuart Cohen (Lisa), and their children. Due to current conditions, a private graveside service was held and a Celebration of Life gathering will be announced at a later date. Contributions may be given to the Virginia Symphony Society and/or the Bertram & Gladys Aaron Professorship at Christopher Newport University.
DEBBIE KANTOR BROOKS OREGON—Debbie Kantor Brooks passed away at home in Oregon on December 30, 2021.
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Debbie was born on April 21, 1956 in Harlingen, Texas to Barry and Reatha Kantor and lived most of her life in the Hampton Roads area. She graduated from the University of South Carolina and enjoyed many careers through the years, including serving as a probation officer with the Virginia Department of Probation and Parole. Debbie was devoted to her four children, Bryan (Brooke), Chad, Paige and Dori. Debbie is survived by her loving parents, her children, her brother David, grandchildren, many uncles, aunts, cousins and nephews, who will all cherish her memory. A graveside service was held at Forest Lawn Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Congregation Beth El, the Parkinson’s Foundation, or charity of donor’s choice. H.D. Oliver.
BRENDA DOLSEY SUFFOLK—It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Brenda Dolsey of Suffolk, Virginia, who passed away on December 5, 2021, at the age of 81, leaving to mourn family and friends. She was predeceased by her parents, James David Jolly and Georgia Irene Lewis Jolly; the father of her children Johnny Anderson; her husbands, Frankie Carter and Yale Dolsey; and her son, Michael Anderson. She is survived by: her daughter Michelle Johnson (Jim) of Chesapeake; and her cousin Gayle Fowler of Mullins. She is also survived by several stepchildren, step-grandchildren, and step-great-grandchildren, as well as many other cousins and friends.
MARY CASEY CANTIN OHIO—Mary Casey Cantin passed away at home in Ohio on January 1, 2022. Mary was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on November 28, 1927. She is preceded in death by her loving husband, Dr. Ira Marshall Cantin, her mother Laura Corliss Casey, and father, James Casey. Mary attended Mount St. Joseph College and graduated from Hahnemann University Hospital as a registered nurse. While working at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital in New York, she met the love of her life, Ira who was completing his orthopedic residency. The couple wed in 1958. Together they had three children, Jane Cantin of Norfolk Virginia, Nancy Burton of Columbus, Ohio and Ira Marshall Cantin, Jr. of Virginia Beach, and three grandchildren, Laura Cantin, and Madeline and McKenzie Burton. Ira and Mary spent 57 years together raising their family and lots of dogs. The couple loved to travel by boat, plane, and restored vintage automobiles. While Mary was not a native Virginian, she grew to love the area and living in Norfolk as long as Ira was by her side. A graveside funeral service was held at Forest Lawn Cemetery. Contributions in her memory to Ohef Sholom Temple or a charity of your choice. Online condolences may be sent to the family at hdoliver. com.
LEONARD DAVID FRIERMAN VIRGINIA BEACH—Leonard David Frierman, 85, passed away on December 20, 2021 in Virginia Beach. Left to cherish his memory are his loving wife of 50 years, Margaret (Peggy) Frierman; brother Michael Frierman of Lakeland, Florida; daughter Anne Sewell (Henry) of Atlanta, Georgia; son Jon Frierman of Orlando, Florida; daughter Molly Jolly (Berk) of Virginia Beach; son Curtis Frierman (Christina) of Virginia Beach; brother-in-law Alfred Lozito of Virginia Beach; 9 grandchildren; and beloved dog Mocha. Altmeyer Funeral Home. LANI FRIEDMAN VIRGINIA BEACH—Lani Friedman, sister of Jonathan (and Michal) Friedman; daughter of Sheila and Stephen Jay Friedman; and mother of Brian and Brandon passed away. Funeral services took place graveside at Forest Lawn Cemetery, Norfolk. ETHEL POLLOCK GOLDMAN VIRGINIA BEACH—Ethel Goldman, 94, died December 8, 2021. She was predeceased by her loving husband Bernard Goldman. They enjoyed 49 wonderful years together. A native of Norfolk, Mrs. Goldman graduated from Maury High School and The College of William and Mary.
