Jaime Devore

Devoted husband, father, grandfather, uncle, son-in-law and friend Jaime Devore (née Dvorecki), a longtime resident of the Bay Area, lost his courageous battle against cancer on April 15, 2012, at Kaiser South San Francisco Hospital. He was 76 years of age.

Born in Cuba on July 20th, 1935, he was the second child of Lithuanian-Polish Jews Elias Dvorecki and Sheila Spiro, who fled Eastern Europe in 1931. Due to U.S. immigration quotas, his family moved first to Cuba, and then later to New York, where he grew up in Brooklyn’s Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood. There he went to school and enjoyed working as a white-gloved usher at an old-fashioned movie palace, a tremendous opportunity for a real classic film fan, something he never gave up.

His early youth in Cuba and later adolescence in New York developed a passion for popular music, both Cuban and American, about which he knew a great deal. He was equally thrilled listening to son, rumba, big band, swing, or Broadway scores, just like his older brother, Gene (Julio).

At seventeen, he joined the U.S. Air Force, served in the Philippines at the end of the Korean War, and later settled in the Bay Area, where he raised his two daughters, Melissa and Sheila, in Daly City. He went on to work in the toy and gift industry for several decades, which took him around the world with his wife, Reta. Many of his dearest and oldest friends are people he met while doing this work and traveling.

An inveterate and incredibly funny storyteller, the fact he liberally sprinkled his humor with both Yiddish and Spanish made it unique. He dearly loved sports — football, baseball, and horse racing — and was an enthusiastic gourmand. He was also a talented baseball player, himself, and played for many years, first as a kid in Cuba, and then throughout his time in New York. His love of football, which he also played in high school, led him to head up the San Francisco Forty-Niner Fan Club for many years, regardless of how they were doing. He was a faithful fan no matter what.

In fact, his attitude about everything, even fighting cancer, was always upbeat and positive, right up till the end. Everyone who knew him, whether for a lifetime or only briefly, would agree that he was one of the most charming and gentle people they had ever met. Jaime Devore was a real mensch.

He is survived by his loving wife Reta Hellman; daughters Melissa McElheney and Sheila Devore; grandchildren Adam Costello, Malcolm McElheney, Riley Costello, and Elizabeth McElheney; niece Kenya Dworkin; mother-in-law Hope Hellman; sister-in-law Mary Hill (James and family); numerous grandnieces and grandnephews; other family members; and many, many, dear and devoted friends.

Funeral services were held April 18, 2012 at St. John’s Cemetery, San Mateo, CA. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to a charity of your choice.

Sinai Memorial Chapel

Boris Levitas

Boris Levitas passed away in his home April 6, 2012 at 54 years old.

He immigrated to the United States at the ripe young age of 22 years old. Boris was a person of many talents and interests. He was a gifted musician, starting out as one of the best child violin players and choir singers, and became an avid drummer in his youth. He took great pride in his career as a skilled civil engineer. He was a travel enthusiast, fascinated by East Asia and Japan and took many other journeys to Spain, Mexico, and Israel. He also enjoyed mafia movies and loved watching Sunday football and basketball games. Despite his tough exterior, he was sensitive and affectionate with his loved ones.

Boris was an incredibly loyal companion with a strong sense of pride and a determined spirit. He was caring, had a playful sense of humor and an infectious laugh. He was meticulous yet mischievous, orderly yet curious.

He is survived by his loving sister Raisa, brother-in-law Ron, and nephew Daniel.

He will be remembered fondly by his beloved partner in life Ella and his stepchildren Becky and Ben, who lived with him, love him, and will miss him dearly.

Services were held this week at Eternal Home in Colma and contributions may be made in his memory to the charity of your choice. 

Sinai Memorial Chapel

Stephen L. Simon

Passed away on April 16, 2012 in San Francisco at the age of 95. Beloved husband of the late Bettie Marx Simon for 52 years; loving father of Jeri (Bruce) Bartfield and the late Carol Ellen Simon; cherished grandpa of David (Michele) Bartfield and Brian (Shelley) Bartfield and great-papa of Alaina, Makenna, Jordana, Zachary and Abigail Bartfield; devoted brother of Joan Shemanski and the late Lucien Simon Jr. and Alan Simon; dear brother-in-law to June Simon and Alvin Benas; proud uncle to many outstanding nieces and nephews.

Native of San Francisco. Graduate of Lowell High School and San Mateo Junior College. Former partner of Simon Brothers Gourmet Mart. Retired from the San Francisco District Attorney’s Office. Loyal volunteer to many civic and charitable organizations as he enjoyed serving the public in all his endeavors. Lifelong member of Congregation Emanu-El. Devoted thanks to the Jewish Home for its excellent care of Mr. Simon over several years.

Funeral services were held on Friday, April 20 at 1 p.m. at Home of Peace Chapel, 1299 El Camino Real, Colma. Donations to the Jewish Home of SF, 302 Silver Ave., S.F., CA 94112, or the National Association for Visually Handicapped (NAVH), 507 Polk St., Suite 420, S.F., CA 94102, phone (415) 775-6283, or the charity of your choice.