GEORGE BERNS, 92, of West Palm Beach, Fla., died Aug. 6, 2000. He was the owner of Youth Fashions in Mt. Clemens. He is survived by his daughter, Nancy Benson of Los Angeles; stepson and his wife, Jerome and Rosalind Sipher; granddaughter, Shannon Chaiken. He was the beloved husband of the late Dorothy Weiner Berns and the late Dorothy Sipher Berns. Interment at Beth El Memorial Park. Contributions may be made to the Jewish Association for Residential Care. Arrangements by Ira Kaufman Chapel.
SYLVIA "SAPH" HELFGOTT COHEN, 64, of Leesburg, Fla., died Aug. 4, 2000. She was the aide to the provost for Montgomery College in Rockville, Md., for 14 years. Two years ago, she and her husband Leo retired to Leesburg, where she became an independent consultant with the Florida Greeting Service and was active in the community. Mrs. Cohen was a graduate of the University of Maryland and a member of the honor society. She was also a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, Hadassah and an officer in the Lake County Florida Newcomers Club. She is survived by her beloved husband, Leo; sons and daughter-in-law, Jeffrey and Dede Gale of Westlake, Ohio, Michael Gale of Columbus, Ohio; daughter, Lisa Williams of Laurel, Md.; grandchildren, Ashley and Amanda Gale and Taylor Williams; sister and brother-in-law, Lue and Irv Maggin of Leesburg. She was the beloved daughter of the late Al and Til Helfgott of Southfield and Tamarac, Fla. Contributions may be made to the American Heart Association or the American Cancer Society.
BERNARD FRIEDRICH, 65, formerly of Detroit and Atlanta of Delray Beach, Fla., died July 23, 2000. He belonged to Congregation Shearith Israel in Atlanta. He is survived by his wife, Charlotte of Delray Beach; sons and daughters-in-law, Ryan and Jo-Ann Friedrich, Bruce and Fran Friedrich, all of Marietta, Ga.; son, Darrin Friedrich and Robin Maranz of Atlanta; daughter Lisa Friedrich and Pete Mackin of Atlanta; sister, Lillian Pitt of Marietta; father-in-law, Harry Lieberman of Atlanta; grandchildren, Jessica, Kevin, Lindsay and Matthew Friedrich; Arrangements by Jewish Funeral Care, Couth Care Memorial Chapel.
TRUDY DANZIG, 67, of Huntington Woods, died Oct. 23, 2000. She was an interior decorator. She is survived by her sons and daughters-in-law, Michael and Karen Danzig, Jeffrey and Wendy Danzig of Huntington Woods; daughter and son-in-law, Cheryl and Mark Rubinstein of Bloomfield Hills; grandchildren, Brittany and Jayme Danzig, Lauren and Robbie Linden, Danielle Danzig; brother and sister-in-law, Benjamin and Fiona Frankel of Hong Kong; sister, Esther Farber of New York. Interment at Clover Hill Park Cemetery. Contributions may be Directed to the Alzheimer's Foundation. Arrangements by Ira Kaufman Chapel.
LILIANN KATZ, 83, of Southfield, died Oct. 23, 2000. She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Marc and Nancy Katz of Berkley; daughters and sons-in-law, Bunnie and Allen Lieberman of West Bloomfield, Susan and Richard Pliskow of Royal Oak; grandchildren, Scott and Samantha Lieberman, Mikki and Josh Rubin, Annie Katz, Jessica Katz, Emily Katz, Ashley Pliskow; great-grandchild, Kennedy Lieberman. She is also survived by Harold and Edie Lax. Mrs. Katz was the beloved wife of the late Ely (Jimmy) Katz. Contributions may be made to American Heart Association, P.O. Box 721129, Berkley, MI 48072 or Temple Shir Shalom, 3999 Walnut Lake Road, West Bloomfield, MI 48322. Services and intermenty at Hebrew Memorial Park. Arrangements by Hebrew Memorial Chapel.
ADAM UNROT, 92, of Southfield, died Oct. 22, 2000. He is survived by his wife, Fanny Unrot. Contributions may be made to Yeshiva Beth Yehuda, P.O. Box 2044, Southfield, MI 48037. Interment at Har Hamenuchot Cemetery in Jerusalem, Israel. Arrangements by Hebrew Memorial Chapel.
RONALD JAY "RONNY" LICHT, 40, former Detroiter of Syracuse, N.Y., died Oct. 21, 2000. He is survived by his parents, Charles and Sandra Licht of Knoxville, Tenn.; brothers David Licht of Bergenfield, N.J., Robert Licht of Charlotte, N.C. Graveside services were held in Greensboro Hebrew Cemetery, Greensboro, N.C. Contributions may be made to the American Diabetes Association, 434 Fayetteville St. Mall, 2 Hannover Square, Suite 100, Raleigh, NC 27601.
PAULINE SOMMERS, 99, of Southfield, died Oct. 21, 2000. She is survived by her daughters and son-in-law, Malverne Reisman, Joanne Feldman of Farmington Hills, Geri and David Young of Boca Raton, Florida; brother and sister-in-law, Jesse and Florence Rice of West Bloomfield; grandchildren, Ken and Debbie Reisman, Susan and Howard Simpson, Judy Mandelbaum, Dawn and Phil Cooper, Andrew and Barbara Feldman, Mark and Toni Feldman, Julie and Dave Fishman, Laurie and Jeff Weisman, Dr. Steven Young; great-grandchildren, Bree, Jeremy, Shannon, Lauren, Megan, Steven, Sam, Nichole, Eric, Mark, Alan, Stephanie, Michael, Jason. Mrs. Sommers was the beloved wife of the late Hyman Bailies, the late Harry Sommers. Contributions may be made to Michigan Psychoanalytic Institute or to a charity of one's choice. Services and intermenty at Cloverhill Park Cemetery. Arrangements by Hebrew Memorial Chapel.
LESTER J. MORRIS, Driven To Help Others:
Owning the Morris Buick dealership at Seven Mile Road and James Couzens in Detroit for nearly four decades was ideal for Lester Morris.
"He loved cars and he loved talking with all the people who came in -- finding out who they were related to and what they did," said his son, Bobby Morris. Decades later, his father could still recall the personal histories of friends and customers. "I never saw anyone with such a mastery of people, places, facts and relationships," said his son. "People would marvel when he would recount their stories."
But another side of Lester Morris was his prolific giving. He did so as president of the Prentis-Morris Family Support Foundation at the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit and through many individual acts of charity.
Lester Morris, 85, of Bloomfield Hills died Oct. 20, 2000 of a heart attack. Mr. Morris, who led a very energetic lifestyle, had planned to travel the next day with his wife Jewell Prentis Morris to their home in Palm Beach, Fla., said their son.
Five years ago, for his 80th birthday, Mr. Morris took his entire family to Israel, crisscrossing the country and visiting numerous projects funded by the family's foundation, including a high school for Russian and Moroccan immigrants, a day care center and a village recreation facility.
But a favorite concern of Mr. Morris was the Jimmy Prentis Morris Building of the Jewish Community Center of Metropolitan Detroit. The facility in Oak Park is named for his 13-year-old son, who died in an automobile accident while returning from a University of Michigan football game in 1965.
"I can't begin to describe how his loss affected the family," said son Bobby Morris, who said his parents began looking for something appropriate to do for the community in memory of his brother. "They became enamored with the Oak Park Center."
Mort Plotnick, former executive director of the JCC, said, "Lester and Jewell were there for many programs and had a great emotional commitment to the facility. They would walk into that building and they'd be smiling and talking to people, enjoying every minute of it."
A few weeks ago, said daughter Patti Phillips, "He attended the 'Apples and Honey' event there, saw the number of people who came and saw the need for an auditorium. He wanted the [JPM] Center to have a proper place to have entertainment." Prior to his death, Mr. Morris had begun discussions for funding the project.
Plotnick described Mr. Morris as "a guy who always had a wonderful smile on his face and a great twinkle in his eye. He was very concerned about what was happening with people. He had a good global view of what his responsibilities were to Jewish life."
Mr. Morris devoted much effort to helping individuals he would hear of or read about in the newspaper. He contributed to a Jewish Family Service fund for the recently orphaned Michalson brothers, for instance, and frequently visited with the late Temple Beth El Rabbi Richard Hertz, seeking to lift his spirits during his final illness.
"He was a one-man mitzvah machine," pronounced Rabbi Daniel Syme of Temple Beth El.
Mr. Morris also served on the boards of numerous non-profit organizations, including Temple Beth El, Sinai Hospital, Jewish Home and Aging Services, Jewish Apartments and Services and the Michigan Cancer Foundation.
A native of Passaic, N.J., Mr. Morris met his future wife at a resort in Lake Placid, N.Y. As told to Rabbi Syme, "It was electric; it was love at first sight" when Mr. Morris met Jewell Prentis, daughter of then General Motors treasurer Meyer L. Prentis and his wife, Anna. Just six weeks later, the Morrises were wed, "and thus began a beautiful marriage that extended for 54 years, always in mutual dedication and devotion," said Rabbi Syme.
Moving to Detroit for their 1946 wedding, Mr. Morris opened his dealership a couple of years later. "Morris is the guy, Buick is the buy," went the advertising slogan. He was well loved by his loyal employees, whom he treated kindly, said his daughter.
Mr. Morris doted on his two granddaughters, sharing with them his love of fishing, tennis and golf. Steve Gretchko, associate director of finance for Federation, said, "He treated everybody like he treated his grandchildren, in the sense of always wanting to help people. He was very interested in helping the community for the greater good." In recent years, Mr. Morris would visit Federation several times a week, helping out with fund-raising and assistance efforts.
Mr. Morris is survived by his wife, Jewell Prentis Morris; daughter and son-in-law Patrice and Dr. Eric Phillips of West Bloomfield; son Robert Prentis Morris and his good friend JoAnn Ross of Aspen, Colo.; granddaughters Jennifer and Rachel Phillips and sister Beatrice Smith of Spring Valley, N.Y.
Mr. Morris was the loving father of the late Jimmy Prentis Morris.
Interment was at Clover Hill Park Cemetery. Contributions may be made to the Jimmy Prentis Morris Memorial Fund at the Jewish Community Center, 15110 W. 10 Mile Road, Oak Park, MI 48237. Arrangements by Ira Kaufman Chapel.
FRIEDA DREXLER, 84, of Southfield, died Oct. 20, 2000. She is survived by her daughters and sons-in-law, Maxine and Harvey Gold of West Bloomfield, Adrianne and Dr. Harvey Goldstone of California, Rhodene and Philip Wolbrink of Watersmeet, Mich.; brother and sister-in-law, Martin and Evelyn Taylor of Farmington Hills; grandchildren, Wendi and David Traxler, Mark and Anne Steiner, Justin Wolbrink, Alan Goldstone, Susanne Goldstone; great-granddaughter, Rachel. Mrs. Drexler was the beloved wife of the late David Drexler. Contributions may be made to Alzheimer's Association, 17220 West 12 Mile Road, Suite 100, Southfield, MI 48076. Interment at Adat Shalom Memorial Park. Arrangements by Hebrew Memorial Chapel.
SOPHIE ROCKLIN, 86, former Detroiter of Corpus Christi, Texas, died Oct. 20, 2000. She was a member of B'nai Israel Synagogue in Texas. She is survived by her sons and daughter-in-law, Jay Rocklin of Oak Park, Larry and Bobbie Rocklin of Overland Park, Kan.; eight grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren. She was the beloved wife of the late Richard Rocklin; mother of the late Audrey Zane. Graveside services were held at Seaside Memorial Park, Corpus Christi.
ANNE E. BROWN, 79, of Troy, died Oct. 19, 2000. She is survived by her husband, David A. Brown; son, Arthur R. Brown of St. Charles, Mo.; daughter and son-in-law, Janice H. and Roger Whitener of Charlotte, Mich.; sister and brother-in-law, Beatrice and Charles Eder of Oak Park; grandchildren, Rachel Whitener, Katherine Brown, Jordan Brown, Megan Brown. Contributions may be made to Jewish National Fund or to a charity of one's choice. Services and intermenty at Hebrew Memorial Park. Arrangements by Hebrew Memorial Chapel.
SYLVIA SHAER, 94, of Southfield, died Oct. 19, 2000. She was a life member of Congregation Beth Aaron, Congregation Beth Achim and Adat Shalom Synagogue as well as a member of Hebrew Benevolent Society, Jewish Home for Aged, Sinai Women's Guild and the American Red Cross. Mrs. Shaer was a charter member of Primrose Club and a member of the Eastern Star. Mrs. Shaer is survived by her sister, Ada Lichtig of California; numerous loving nieces, nephews; other relatives and friends. She was the beloved wife of the late Louis I. Shaer; dear sister of the late Albert Marks, the late Dr. Ben Marks and the late Paul Marks. Internment at Machpelah Cemetery. Contributions may be directed to a charity of one's choice. Arrangements by Ira Kaufman Chapel.
SIDNEY DWORKIN, Revco Founder:
Entrepreneur and Revco drug store chain pioneer Sidney Dworkin died Oct. 17, 2000 of complications from cancer. He was 79.
Mr. Dworkin, a Detroit native, along with pharmacist Bernie Shulman, Arthur Kellman and Isadore Berger, founded Regal drug stores in 1956 with four Detroit stores. In 1961, the company acquired the 41-store Standard drug chain in Cleveland and changed its name to Revco (Registered Vitamin Co.).
Over the next 30 years under Mr. Dworkin's leadership, Revco became the world's largest drug store chain, with over 2,200 locations in 30 states and sales exceeding $2 billion.
In the early years there were many challenges to overcome. Mr. Dworkin earned the confidence of Detroit's William Davidson along with his associates at Kerr Drug Co. Kerr provided the supply line for Revco when other companies did not want to take the risk with a fast-growing company selling products at a discount. Mr. Dworkin never forgot where he came from and would help many other companies get started by featuring their products in Revco stores.
In the early 1970s, Mr. Dworkin moved his family to Cleveland, where Revco was headquartered. Southfield Mayor Norman Feder declared March 11, 1972, "Sidney Dworkin Day" to mark the opening of the 300th Revco store on Telegraph Road. In 1987, Mr. Dworkin retired. Revco later became part of the CVS drug chain.
A graduate of Central High School and Wayne State University, Mr. Dworkin served in the army during World War II. WSU recognized his accomplishments by giving him a corporate leadership award in 1985. He also received the Scopus Award from Hebrew University, establishing the Dworkin Family Chair.
Mr. Dworkin was a past president of the Couples Club at Temple Israel, past chairman of the National Association of Chain Drug Stores, board member of the Cleveland Baseball Federation and many other community organizations.
Mr. Dworkin was the husband of Doris Dwokin; father of Marc (Patricia) and Elliot "Bud" (Judy) Dworkin; grandfather of Bradley and Robbie; brother of Eileene Berke, Dr. Leo (Alva) Dworkin and the late Cantor Harold Dworkin.
Interment was in Boca Raton, Fla. Contributions may be made to the Leonard N. Simons Detroit Jewish Community Archives, PO Box 250250, West Bloomfield, MI 48325.
ROBERT ETHAN BREINER, 42, former Detroiter of Scarborough, Maine, died Oct. 17, 2000. He graduated from Andover High School and attended Eastern Michigan University. He worked as a radio executive and was in partnership with Martz Communications. Mr. Breiner was active in many community endeavors in Scarborough, including coaching little league and helping fund raising for Ronald McDonald House, the Center for Grieving Children and Motts Children Hospital of Ann Arbor. He also led many food drives for Habitat for the Homeless. He is survived by his wife, Debra Glassford Breiner; sons, Andrew and Daniel of Scarborough; parents, Dr. Sander J. and Bea Oboler Briener of Bloomfield Hills; sister, Linda Breiner Millstein of Larchmont, N.Y.; brother, Myles of Honolulu. Services were held in Portland, Maine.
GAIL PARRISH, 51, of West Bloomfield, died Oct. 17, 2000. For 16 years, she was the vice president of planning at St. John Health System. She was also a member of Temple Israel. Mrs. Parrish is survived by her husband, Robert Parrish; daughters, Kristen, Diana and Stephanie Parrish; stepmother, Dorothy Hirschbein; brother and sister-in-law, Bernard Hirschbein and Wendy Baschkopf of San Francisco; stepsisters and stepbrothers, Barbara and David Weiss, Norman and Diane Lynn; mother-in-law, Madelene Parrish; sister-in-law, Judith Parrish. Mrs. Parrish was the loving daughter of the late Robert Hirschbein and the late Della Hirschbein; dear daughter-in-law of the late George Parrish. Interment at Beth El Memorial Park. Contributions may be directed to the Josephine Ford Cancer Center, Hermelin Brain Tumor Center, 1 Fords Place, Detroit, MI 48202-3450 Attn: Philanthropy or U-M Comprehensive Cancer Center, Mott Trailer, 1500 East Medical Center Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48109 Attn: Anita Goldstein. Arrangements by Ira Kaufman Chapel.
JUDITH PEISS, 56, formerly of Oak Park and Southfield, of San Diego, died Oct. 17, 2000. She graduated from Michigan State University and was a part-time writer for the San Diego Jewish Heritage newspaper. She was an adamant supporter of Jews for Judaism and wrote vehemently against the cause Jews for Jesus. She is survived by her two daughters, Michelle Peiss and Amy Peiss in San Diego; sister, Cathi Winnie of San Diego; brother, Larry Pavsner of San Diego. Contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society or to a Jewish cause of one's choice.
SYLVIA SCHLESINGER, 83, of Troy, died Oct. 17, 2000. She was a bookkeeper and credit specialist. She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Dr. Stephen Lawrence and Laura Schlesinger of Hawaii; daughter, Kay Mizell of Troy; grandchildren, Kimberly Mizell and Michael Mizell; brothers and sister-in-law, Harold Shwedel, Norman and Zelda Shwedel; sister, Francis Nanes. Interment at Machpelah Cemetery. Contributions may be directed to the Leukemia Society of Michigan, 21617 Harper, St. Clair Shores, MI 48080. Arrangements by Ira Kaufman Chapel.
