Family and friends are remembering Don Bradlor, a retired Army major, who had a life-long passion for American musicals. Bradlor died Nov. 16 in Belmont, CA at the age of 91.
A native of Southern California, Bradlor spent most of his adult life in San Francisco and San Mateo Counties. Drafted into the Army in 1941 he was stationed at the Presidio of San Francisco, where he was a photographer who documented the internment of San Francisco Japanese-Americans during the war, and the liberation of Jewish survivors from concentration camps on the Rhineland.
It was at a USO dance in San Francisco that he met the woman he would marry in 1944, Ruth Kaliski, a Jewish refugee from Potsdam, Germany. They were married 58 years until her death in 1998.
Bradlor remained in the Army after WWII, serving as an officer in administrative capacities at military hospitals in Korea, France and the U.S. After a 24-year Army career, he worked as a paralegal for the California State Automobile Association. Subsequently, he joined the San Mateo Police Department as their first civilian volunteer detective. He volunteered at San Mateo County senior centers where he shared his enjoyment and knowledge of American musicals.
Bradlor is survived by daughters Diane Sprouse, Janet Yelner, granddaughter Avery Morales, sister-in-law Augusta Wiener, nephew Stanford Statner, niece Debra Hanavan, and sons-in-law Bruce Yelner and Charlie Morales.
Bret Jeremy, 43, beloved son of Harvey Jacobson of Las Vegas, NV and Arlene Jacobson of Harrisburg, PA; loving father of Gray, India Pacific and Benjamin Jeremy; dear brother of Laura Merriman Esq. of Los Angeles, CA and Audrey Cresamore of York, PA. Owner of The Sonoma Olive Co. and a former owner of Native Kjalii Foods. Bret’s creative vitality is a substantial loss to his family and the organic and prepared food industry. Services Sunday, Nov. 30, 11:00 a.m. at Congregation B’nai Israel, 740 Western Ave., Petaluma. For further information, or to send a message to the family, contact Mandel Funeral Services of Northern California at (866) 962-6335 or www.mandelfuneralservices.com.
Lillian F. Pearce, resident of Brooklyn and Margate, Fl passed away peacefully on November 23. She is lovingly remembered by her children Frances B. Pearce, Rabbi Stephen S. Pearce and Dr. Laurie E. Pearce, grandchildren Sarah and Michael, and sister Marilyn Goodman. Funeral service was Wednesday, November 26, 1pm at I.J. Morris, 1895 Flatbush Avenue.
Contributions in lieu of flowers to Congregation Emanu-El, 2 Lake Street,
San Francisco.
Morton J. Postrel, (Mordecai) in Burlingame on November 17 at age 82. Beloved husband of Rivka Postrel for 53 years; loving father of Amit Gallagher [Kevin], Ron Postrel [Helene], and Rabbi Oren Postrel; grandfather of Hannah Postrel Gallagher and Jordan Gallagher, Juliana Leah Postrel and Benjamin Jack Postrel; twin brother of the late Monroe Postrel. “Morty” was a cousin, uncle, and great friend to many.
Organizations: HaShomer HaTzair, an
original founder of Kibbutz Sasa, Yiddish Choristers, Palo Alto Book Club, Long-time member of Congregation Kol Emeth in
Palo Alto.
Biography: University of California Berkeley Marching Band, WWII veteran U.S. Navy, active from a young age in American Zionist movement and an active organizer of the San Francisco chapter of Hashomer HaTzair, a progressive Zionist youth
movement.
Morty was the nephew of Avraham Harzfeld, an original Member of Knesset widely known as the “Village Builder.” Uncle Avram’s dedication of building the infrastructure of the nascent state of Israel inspired Morty to adopted Uncle Avram’s vision and passion for Israel and made Aliyah in 1949. With other young Americans from Hashomer HaTzair, they established Kibbutz Sasa in Israel’s Northern Gallilee. It was there he met Rivka Peretz of Haifa, a young soldier in the Israel Army. They married in Haifa in August 1955, settling in Holon. Morty worked as a communications technician for El Al Israel Airlines with his experience from the U.S. Navy.
Morty and Rivka returned to the U.S. with daughter Amit in 1958. Morty taught Hebrew, Torah, and Bar Mitzvah for 20 years at Congregation Emanu-El in San Francisco. Awarded an M.A. in Psychology from San Francisco State University in 1963, Morty was a school psychologist for the Jefferson Union High School District, retiring in 1991. Morty was an avid musician and played guitar, piano, and clarinet. In recent years he had a true passion for singing with the Yiddish Choristers of Palo Alto.
Zeit Mir Gezint!! He loved to say to everyone … It was never goodbye. It was always Ziet Mir Gezint!!
Funeral services were held on November 19 at 11am at Home of Peace Cemetery, Colma, California. Donations to Congregation Kol Emeth of Palo Alto.
Dr. Jack R. Siegel of Greenbrae, CA. Born in York, Pennsylvania, January 25, 1917, died peacefully after a brief illness.
Dr. Siegel practiced podiatry on Chestnut Street in San Francisco for over 40 years and was a member of the founding board at Temple Rodef Sholom in San Rafael.
Jack is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Evelyn. He is survived by his children, Rickey Miller, Marvin and Carmen Siegel; grandchildren, Rachael and Andrew Siegel and Ryan Miller all of Petaluma, his sister Esther Rubin of Greenbrae, and beloved nieces and nephews.
Family to many and a friend to all, “Uncle Jack” always had an open door and a great sense of humor. We will miss you Papa.
Services were held on Tuesday, November 25 at 1:30pm in the Home of Peace Cemetery Chapel, 1299 El Camino Real, Colma. Interment will follow at Salem Memorial Park, 1171 El Camino Real, Colma.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Jewish Family and Children’s Services, 2150 Post Street, San Francisco, CA 94115.