Melvin Saul Silverstein, 95; Staples High School Guidance Counselor, Army Air Force Veteran
Melvin (Mike) Saul Silverstein, 95, of Worcester, MA, formerly of Norwalk and Hartford CT, passed away on May 18, 2021. He was the husband of the late Florence Heath Silverstein for 68 years.
Born in Hartford, CT, he was the son of the late Samuel and Dora Kosofsky Silverstein. An award-winning educator, prized friend and co-worker, he took on diverse roles in education and in his communities and was a longtime advocate for the less fortunate. Mr. Silverstein grew up in Hartford, the youngest son of immigrant parents from eastern Europe. He attended Hartford public schools and worked with his siblings at the family-operated People's Dairy, a milk processing and delivery company.
Only 17, he enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Force in October 1943 training to serve as a gunner on a B-24 Liberator just as World War II ended. He was awarded the WW II Victory Medal, American Campaign Medal and the Good Conduct Medal. He was honorably discharged in May 1946. Mr. Silverstein attended Hillyer College (now the University of Hartford), where he met his wife Florence. They married in 1948. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1950 and obtained his Masters of Education in 1956.
He became a teacher and counselor for Glastonbury (CT) High School, then in September 1960 moved from East Hartford to Norwalk, CT where he joined the guidance staff of Darien High School. During the summer of 1966 he led a group of 22 students to Israel on a service project under the auspices of the New York City-based 92nd Street Y. In 1967 he took on a guidance role at Staples High School (Westport, CT) and dramatically expanded it. Over two decades he became a fixture in Westport education - active in career counseling, adult education and work/study programs. He also volunteered at the Hope Center in Bridgeport, CT. Simultaneously, he was an energetic member of Temple Shalom in Norwalk becoming principal of the religious school. In 1978 he was named the outstanding counselor in the state of Connecticut by the Connecticut School Counselor Assn.
Mr. Silverstein is survived by his children; Lucy Tannen of Framingham, MA, Jeffrey Silverstein of Blackstone, MA, Timothy Silverstein and his wife, Sally of Norwalk, CT, Melanie Rosenbaum and her husband, Bruce of Thorndike, MA. He also leaves grandchildren; Caroline Savitzky (fiance' Mark-Anthony Delgado) of Arlington, MA, Alex Savitzky (fiance' Sandy Duplantis) of Marlboro, MA, Kate Silverstein (fiance' Chris Skall) of Somerville, MA, Ben Silverstein of Whitinsville, MA, Lindsay Navarro and her husband Matthew of La Grange, IL, Michael Silverstein of Norwalk, CT, Joseph Rosenbaum (fiance' Sydney Holewa) of Boston, MA, and Daniel Rosenbaum of Somerville MA; and great grandchildren; Devin Smith, Paige, Jordan and Zoey Savitzky, Jonathan and Nicole Navarro, and Madilyn and Salma Delgado-Savitzky. Melvin is also survived by his brother Nathan Silverstein of Branford, CT and his cousin Marilyn Benson of Bloomfield, CT along with many nieces and nephews. Melvin was predeceased by his brother Irving and his twin sister Evelyn Fain.
A memorial service will be held late in June in Hartford, CT followed by a social gathering to share memories and thoughts about Mr. Silverstein. Those wishing to attend should contact Jeff Silverstein at 774-270-0769.
In lieu of flowers please consider donations to the Alzheimer's Association, Diabetes Research Institute, University of Hartford, or the Jewish Healthcare Center in Worcester, MA. Online condolences may be left at https://www.ricefuneralhome.com/listings .
A. Robert Zeff, 87; Prominent Attorney, Avid Detroit Tigers Fan
ObituaryA. Robert Zeff (born Avram Abbot Zeff), 87, died of a life well spent on June 6, 2021, while watching a basketball game at home in Westport, Connecticut.
Born in Tel Aviv, Israel, on Feb 2, 1934, the 15th generation of his family born in Israel, Bob grew up in Detroit, Michigan, where he played high school baseball well enough to pitch at the University of Michigan and for the Tigers Farm Team until bad knees forced him to make other career plans. He remained an avid baseball fan for a lifetime of rarely missed Detroit Tigers games.
Bob graduated from the University of Detroit Law School at 22 and was among the youngest applicants to ever pass the Michigan bar exam in 1957. Zeff began trial practice immediately in his ailing father's law firm and the name Zeff & Zeff PC still exists 65 years later. Although Bob was initially a "pink-faced young lawyer trying to retain his father's clients," by the early 60's Bob had successfully built the firm's practice in handling catastrophic personal injury cases. When million dollar verdicts first began, Bob became a national leader in 7 figure recoveries.
He was proudest of a series of press injury cases that changed the industrial codes in Detroit's plants. Newsweek covered him among the "Top 20 Personal Injury Trial Attorneys" and his closing arguments to juries were events that drew spectators from all parts of the courthouse. The Michigan Institute of Continuing Legal Education featured cassettes of his 'Million Dollar Arguments' and he authored the chapter on closing arguments in ICLE's "Michigan Civil Procedure During Trial." Bob's reputation was aptly captured by a Detroit News columnist who observed "Defense attorneys cringe when Zeff enters the courtroom." In 1975 Bob was inducted into the Inner Circle, a group limited to 100 of the best trial lawyers in the United States.
Zeff was once featured in a Detroit News spread covering a handful of the Most Eligible Bachelors in the city, then later married Susan Jane Kroll from South Carolina, who hadn't seen the article. They celebrated their 34th wedding anniversary on June 2nd, 2021. Bob was privately a frequent high praiser of Susan in matters of the heart, golf, and business, often followed by the humorous disclaimer "don't tell her I said that." Bob's interests and experiences warranted a book he often promised to write. He was widely world traveled with extraordinarily colorful experiences.
Bob owned a jai alai fronton in Connecticut with related pursuits in Spain, where he became a fan of Salvador Dali and began assembling a museum quality Dali collection -- the tip of an iceberg of fine art he and Susan collected. Bob traveled to South America and had Indiana Jones-type jungle adventures complete with artifacts and arrows flying. Bob was once surprised to find himself seated at a table with the President of Indonesia at a state dinner there discussing international business. Bob was an unrepentant golfer for many years and reached his golf pinnacle on a scramble team that won a nearly $40,000 pot at a charity tournament for the Boca Raton Regional Hospital. His pace of play in golf, as in Bob's private life, was deliberate. He was a reliable late arrival for virtually all scheduled events, a practice Susan was unable to dent over 3 decades of marriage. Bob had imposing, 'family member' dogs all his adult years that were fiercely devoted to him and Susan but gentle enough to take a daily Brazil nut from his lips at breakfast. He lived life fully.
Bob is survived by his loving and devoted wife Susan of Boca Raton, Florida, and his niece Sandra (Mark) Gold, the daughter of Bob's beloved older sister Nita "Billie" (Moe) Barak who predeceased him, and Sandra's children. He was also predeceased by his father Louis Zeff and his mother, Bertha Friedman Zeff.
Bob was a member of Congregation Shaarey Zedek Synagogue in Southfield, Michigan, and Palm Beach Orthodox Synagogue in Florida. He was an avid supporter of Israeli causes and a generous benefactor of Hebrew University, where the Zeffs established the Susan and A. Robert Zeff Graduate Scholarship Endowment Fund for law school students in perpetuity. Donations in Bob's memory should be directed to the Division of Hematologic Neoplasia, Dana Farber Institute, 450 Brookline Ave, Boston, MA 02215.
Arrangements are being handled by Ira Kaufman Chapel and interment will be in a private ceremony at Clover Hill Park Cemetery.
Alan Chalk, 89; Former Staples High School English Teacher, Veteran
ObituaryAlan George Chalk, age 89, passed away in his home surrounded by love and family, on Monday, May 31st, 2021.
Alan was born in 1931 in Springfield, Massachusetts. He met his beloved wife Norma LaFlamme of Ludlow, Massachusetts and they married 70 years ago. Alan joined the Navy during the Korean War and did 2 world tours. In 1952, his experiences traveling in Japan and meeting the people touched him deeply and a lifelong journey commenced.
He received his teaching degree at Wesleyan University and attended the University of Iowa PHD Program. He moved to Fairfield in 1961 where he lived the rest of his life. His first teaching position was at Staples High School in Westport developing an innovative creative writing program. He became the Chairman of the English Department at Weston High School in 1972. He was voted Teacher of the Year in 1989. He retired from Weston High School in 1991.
He began a new career as consultant, writer, and teacher specializing in postwar and contemporary Japanese literature and film and developed an extensive library. He developed the curriculum for the first Center for Japanese Study Abroad magnet school in Norwalk. He traveled extensively but Japan remained closest to his heart, and he led tours both with students and teachers, as well as family sharing his knowledge and love of Japan. He wrote novels, short stories and poetry, many inspired by his travels in Japan.
He was a master teacher, writer, wood sculptor and photographer and also found the time to raise five children with Norma, remodeling the house, and creating beautiful gardens.
In his own words, "I exist in a style of anonymity and I ask a thousand questions. I find that I ask questions I don't have the answer to and this may be the key to effective teaching. I am always learning. Every day."
He loved teaching and deeply cared about his students and staff which is reflected in the letters from students and parents thanking him for his inspiration and caring during pivotal times in their lives; letters from teachers whom he helped to become master teachers themselves, the articles, awards and acknowledgements grateful for the impact he made on so many lives.
A plaque on his wall which was a gift, is a good way to summarize.
"A teacher affects eternity; he can never tell where his influence stops."
He is survived by his beloved family; daughters Lynn and Karen, sons Brian, Gary, David, son-in-law Scott, daughter-in-law Laura, grandchildren, Jesse, Danielle, Gabrielle, Billy, Maya, Sammy, Nicole and her family Jeff, Tenley, Caiden Blaiotta; great-grandchildren Lyla and Jude. He was predeceased by his beloved wife Norma who was an integral part of his accomplishments and to whom he gives much of the credit. Also Dan Magida, a former student from Staples over 50 years ago, who was one of his best friends.
Contributions in his memory can be made to Habitat for Humanity Fairfield County, where his wife was a longtime volunteer. https://www.habitatcfc.org/
Ronald Melino, 91; American Airlines Executive, Westporter
Harding Funeral Home ObituaryRonald Joseph Melino - June 28, 1929 to May 22, 2021. Born and raised on Jackson Avenue in the South Bronx, NYC, transplanted himself and his family to Westport, CT in 1967. Loved the excitement, diversity and complexity of NYC - the "Capital of the World" as he would often say. Studied biology at City College and a proud longtime employee of American Airlines having worked his way up from the La Guardia Airport terminal to the company’s executive offices at the Chrysler Building in Manhattan.
A true original to his core, naturally charismatic, and never shy, he lived life on his own terms. Loved beach walks, tennis with pals at the Westport Tennis Club and Longshore, workouts and saunas at the Westport YMCA, reading, train travel to San Francisco, and above all else his grandchildren.
At peace and resting with his beloved bride Maureen (née Hurley) of 55 years (Sept 22, 1931 to Nov 18, 2011) at Assumption Cemetery in Westport. Survived by his brother Eugene Melino, and his children Stephen Melino (Margie), Frances Zahler (Gary), Barbara Deecken (George), and James Melino (Ilana), his grandchildren Alexsis Adams, Christina Deecken, Cody Zahler, Christian Zahler, Avery Chung-Melino, Rachel Melino, Emily Zahler, and Katey Melino, great grandson Isaiah, and beloved nieces and nephews and their families.
A private Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Assumption Cemetery in the coming weeks at a date and time to be determined by the family.