Obituary of Jack M. Weinberg

Jack M. Weinberg Passed away on September 1, 2010. Predeceased by parents, Nathan & Bessee Weinberg; brothers, Sam, Max & Harry Weinberg; sisters, Sarah Weinberg & Betty Freeling. Survived by his beloved wife of 60 years, Elaine, loving father of Bruce & Arthur (Laurie Enos); devoted sisters-in-law, Phyllis & Sandy Kravetz; grand puppy, “Annie”; nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. As a World War II veteran, Jack fought in the Battle of the Bulge, and helped liberate the Buchenwald Concentration Camp. He was a retired manager of Monro Muffler-Brake. The Family wishes to thank the staff of the Jewish Home, Rochester General Hospital and Lifetime Care Hospice. Funeral Services will be held on Friday, September 3, 2010 at 11 AM at Brighton Memorial Chapel, Inc., 3325 Winton Road South. Click here for directions to the funeral home. Interment, Britton Road Cemetery. A period of mourning will be observed at 37 Waterford Circle Friday from 3-5 PM & Saturday 7-9 PM. Shiva will continue Sunday from 12 Noon-2 PM at the Jewish Home of Rochester and will conclude back at 37 Waterford Circle Sunday from 3-5 PM. Click here for directions to the house of mourning. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a charity of one’s choice. COPY OF EULOGY DELIVERED SEPTEMBER 3, 2010 by: Bruce Weinberg My father was a modest and humble man. I have no doubt that he would be upset with me for proclaiming his accomplishments and just accolades in such a public way. I feel compelled to do so because it is so justly deserved. A depression era child, my father left high school early so he could help earn money for the family. He later finished his education compliments of the GI Bill following WWII. Dad did not speak about his involvement in the war to many people. He was part of what Tom Brokaw penned as “the greatest generation.” He did his duty for God and Country and family without a word or a complaint. Dad was part of General Patton’s army. He made the long, forced- march from southern France to liberate the American soldiers surrounded by the enemy at Bastogne in Belgium. This was known as the Battle of the Bulge or more specifically Dad fought in the Battle of the Ardennes Forest. Later Dad entered Germany and participated in the liberation of the Buchenwald Concentration Camp. Despite these great deeds, he generally spoke little of these experiences except to his wife and sons ,and then, only rarely. His family was his entire life. Returning from the war he married my mom in 1950. They celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in March. Dad sacrificed everything for Mom, Art and me. He would rather have done without material necessities and comforts for himself so the he could provide for his wife and children. Even on his death bed, his chief concern was the welfare of his family encouraging my brother and me to take care of Mom. Dad worked for Monro Muffler/Brake for 28 years beginning in 1959 when the company was in its early years. Dad opened and managed the West Henrietta Road and Stone Ridge Plaza shops. With great dedication and many long hard hours, he managed this business as if it were his own. Sometimes he elicited the help of his family. At least once a year, Mom, Art, and I would help him with the inventory, usually on a cold winter day when there was little heat in the storage room. This was before the days of computers. Art and I would climb up on the shelves and read part numbers, which Mom and Dad would diligently record on index cards. Dad treated each customer with respect and eventually built a large following of repeat customers. Dad was a man of incredible courage. He faced great adversity with bravery and dignity. During his time at Monro Muffler/Brake he endured two heart attacks, quadruple bypass surgery, and an even more difficult surgery to remove an aortic aneurism. After each traumatic event, Dad battled his way back returning to work and each time working harder so he could make sure that his wife and children had everything they needed. Love and loyalty of family was central to Dad’s life. He was always there to help his family which included our grandparents, Max and Ann Kravetz, my mother’s sisters, Phyllis and Sandy, who embraced Jack as a brother, my father’s brothers and Sisters and their spouses: Max and Bea Weinberg, Abe Rothenberg, Sam Weinberg, Sarah Weinberg, Betty and George Freeling. He had an especially close relationship with his brother Harry Weinberg with whom he conversed and walked together on a daily basis. Dad had many nieces and nephews and always was there for them during happy times (simchas) and difficult times. He instilled this concept of the importance of family in all of us. His love and concern for us was returned to him throughout his life and especially these last few years. With full knowledge that Dad would rather have been at home than in a nursing home, his family was with him every day. Mom, Phyllis and Sandy came to see Dad each afternoon at the Jewish Home where Dad was becoming the kingpin of an ever expanding social club in the Sokol Room (outside during the good weather). Dad, who dressed most fastidiously ( He dressed so nicely that the Jewish Home chose him to appear in one of their television advertisements), would sit at the head of the table. Dad would sit quietly and listen, but whenever a question came up about Joseph Avenue or Judaism, everyone turned to Dad for the answer, which he usually could produce. From what I hear, when Dad was hospitalized, no one took his spot at the head of the table, instead reserving it for what his friends hoped would be his quick return. Art and I would do the second shift along with the twins and help Dad with his dinner time needs. Dinner time was a real challenge for the family. Dad was not only fastidious about the way he dressed for the social club, but throughout his life was extremely meticulous about all of his possessions. His room at the Jewish Home had to be left just so before he would let us out the door in the evening. There had to be a certain number of towels and wash cloths folded and piled in the proper way and the next-day’s clothes arranged with the belt on top. Another example of Dad’s meticulous behavior concerned his workshop at home. His tools were laid out in a specific order. If Art and I borrowed a tool and did not return it to the exact spot as measured by millimeters, Dad was aware of it and would lecture us onthe care and proper placement of his tools. Dad, we wish you were still here to tease us about the misplaced tools! We love you so very, very much. You will be in our hearts and thoughts always! By Bruce H. Weinberg (son) Contributions: Elaine H. Weinberg (wife), Arthur L. Weinberg (son), and Phyllis and Sandy Kravetz (sisters-in-law) Eulogy given by Rabbi/Dr. Sandra Katz of the Jewish Home of Rochester Jack Weinberg z”l Yaacov Meir ben Natan veBatya We are here today to celebrate the life of Jack Weinberg. We join his family: his wife Elaine; sons Bruce and Arthur (Laurie); beloved sisters-in-law Phyllis and Sandy; family and friends. Jack’s life began in Rochester, the youngest child of Nathan and Bessee. Three of his siblings were born in Europe, and there was such an age gap that one of his siblings was the same age as his father-in-law. Jack was in high school, about age 15, when his father died and Jack needed to help the family by working. Fortunately, Jack was able to gain an equivalency diploma. Jack’s father was a veteran of two wars in the Russian Army. The family moved to the United States partly to save the sons from the draft. In a twist of irony, Jack was drafted into the US Army in 1943. After distinguished service in the European theatre of war, 21-year-old Jack was notified in 1946 that his mother was very ill. By the time he arrived home, she had died and there was victory in Europe. The Army discharged Jack instead of sending him to the Pacific theatre of war while he was grieving the loss of his mother. What would it have been like for him to have lost both parents by that age? It might have made a different person angry, bitter and small-minded; in Jack’s case, I believe that it helped him to realize the value of love and family While Jack was grieving, his sister’s friend Julie brought her niece Elaine with her to the house of mourning. Elaine’s first memory of Jack was of a handsome man asleep in a chair. Then he and his brother went to synagogue to say Kaddish for their mother, while Elaine and her pie waited. Jack and Elaine had a few dates after this meeting, but Elaine was still in high school. A couple of years later, when Elaine had finished high school and was working, a friend suggested that he go out with Elaine again. At this point, he was able to appreciate Elaine’s finer qualities; soon the couple would marry. Jack worked hard to give his family a better life than the one he had. He was a loving husband to Elaine and a devoted father to Bruce and Arthur. He did more than talk about what was right; he showed the kids by his own actions. He expressed appreciation for Elaine’s extraordinary, “so-delicious” cooking by saying “thank you” and by washing the dishes. He also led by example as he treated employees and customers with respect and courtesy. Monro Muffler sent him to the busiest, most stressful assignments because he could handle the challenge. He nurtured more junior employees as if they were part of his family. He retired at age 62 in 1987. With Jack’s family background, it seems only natural that he spoke Yiddish. Jack also could speak some Polish, Ukrainian and Russian. He enjoyed Yiddish music and humor, particularly lighting up when Myron Cohen, Alan King or Henny Youngman would make an appearance on the Ed Sullivan show. Jack also had a mind for current events, with keen interest in “Meet the Press” and “60 Minutes.” On Sundays, he and his brother Harry would talk about Israel and world politics. After Jack and Elaine moved to the place on Waterford, it seemed that one or the other was in the hospital. Then two and a half years ago, Jack moved to the Jewish Home. Not only did Elaine and the boys spend a lot of time with him there, but his sisters-in-law, Sandy and Phyllis, who have known him most of their lives, visited regularly. They marveled at how Jack could stay calm and polite. Most of the time he was there, Jack held court in the solarium. Friends and family would sit around Jack as he reigned from the head of the table. Jack knew answers to all kinds of obscure questions, and charmed friends and family with his sense of humor. The family speaks lovingly of the bonds formed and strengthened during those hours in the solarium. With something that may have approached reverence, family members took turns helping Jack with his dinner each night. Jack’s courage continued through his final illness. He endured invasive tests and procedures with patience. The family rallied, keeping a vigil for weeks. Many loving words were spoken during those difficult weeks, while the family hoped for the best and braced for this day. The mutual devotion in the family was like a refrain to a song they had sung for many years. Even when he no longer spoke, Jack was radiant with gratitude to his loved ones. We will miss Jack’s humor, his intelligence, and his integrity. We pray that his memory will inspire us, helping us especially through the difficult times. May the love Jack shared with family and friends strengthen us all, and may he rest in peace. Home Henrietta, New York Birthplace Rochester, New York