James (Jim) Victor Bransten of San Francisco, California, passed away on June 6, 2015 after a long illness. Born January 17, 1945, son of William H. Bransten and Sue V. Bransten, he is survived by his sister Joan Sutton and brother-in-law Joseph Sutton; nephews Raymond Sutton and Sol Sender, treasured cousins John Rothmann and Bill Rothmann, who were like brothers to him; dedicated caregivers Stephen Gilbert, Cesar Gonzalez, Jean Brannigan and Maria Grimaldi; and a large extended family who were a special part of his life through the decades in San Francisco and around the world.

A fourth-generation native San Franciscan, Jim attended Madison Grammar School, Roosevelt Junior High School and Washington High School before receiving his bachelor’s degree in political science from U.C. Berkeley in 1967. He was admitted to the State Bar of California in 1981 after receiving his law degree from Washburn University in Topeka, Kansas, that same year.

His family and numerous lifelong friends remember Jim for his remarkable sense of humor, his passion for history and politics, and his loyalty to friends of more than 50 years. A talented improviser and comedian in his youth, he was a member of the renowned Pitschel Players before pursuing his career in the law. His restless intellect and rebellious personality characterized a life filled with great challenges and great enjoyments. Jim left a lasting mark on the lives of those who loved him.

Jim was committed to the prevention of cruelty to animals and animal rights. In lieu of flowers, his family would ask for contributions to the Humane Society U.S. or any other animal protection group.

Irwin Gibbs

Irwin Gibbs, 90, veteran of World War II, local businessman, philanthropist, stamp collector, sportsman, and lover of life, died on June 5 in San Francisco from complications following heart surgery.

Irwin was a lifelong San Franciscan. He grew up in the Marina District, where he attended Galileo High School. He served in the Navy in World War II and graduated from the University of California, Berkeley, in 1946. While at Berkeley, he joined and became president of the Zeta Beta Tau fraternity, the only Jewish fraternity on campus. At Berkeley, he met and married native San Franciscan Marion Brill in 1946. The couple celebrated their 69th wedding anniversary this year.

After graduation, Irwin entered the food brokerage business and founded Gibbs McCormick, Inc., which he headed for half a century. For the past 58 years, Irwin devoted time to charities including the Food Industry Foundation, the March of Dimes and the Institute on Aging, of which he was a board member. In that capacity, he oversaw the development and construction of the residential tower on Geary Boulevard for aging and infirm, low-income San Franciscans. Irwin was an internationally recognized expert on stamps from the Panama Canal Zone. He authored two books on Panama Canal Zone stamps, which now serve as authoritative guides in that area.

Irwin’s love for old-time San Francisco never abated. He was a member of the French Club in San Francisco, a private dining club founded in 1905, and a member of the San Francisco Wine & Food Society.

Irwin is survived by his wife, Marion; his two sons, Gary Gibbs and Larry Gibbs; his daughters-in-law, Margaret Corrigan and Madeline Mindek; his grandchildren, Amanda Jones and her husband Mark, Joe Gibbs, Sara Corrigan-Gibbs, Henry Corrigan-Gibbs, Eva Sullivan and her husband Ryan, and David Peterson; a great-grandson, Spencer Jones; and countless friends.

For a full obituary and an announcement regarding a memorial service, please visit the website http://irwin-jack-gibbs.forevermissed.com.

Contributions in Irwin Gibbs’ honor may be made to the Institute on Aging, 3575 Geary Blvd., San Francisco, CA 94118, or the Food Industry Foundation, c/o Rob Gibbs at Hersping-Gibbs, 15 Crow Canyon Court, San Ramon, CA 94583.

Michael David Levin

3/17/51 – 5/31/15

Michael, son of the late John and Aimee Levin, husband of the late Jane Daniels Levin, father of Marc and Natasha Levin and their spouses and grandfather of two, died on May 31, 2015 in Australia where he has resided for the last many years. He is also survived by his brother David and his family along with many cousins in the Bay Area. He is further survived by his close companion of many years, Margaret Jurca. Michael was cremated and returned to his daughter in the United States. Michael was a Lowell High graduate and a U.C. Berkeley grad. He suffered very much over the last four years of Parkinson’s and had several strokes. May his life be a blessing.

Ourry Schwartzbord

February 12, 1945 – June 3, 2015

“Stone Sculpture” by Ourry Schwartzbord

Ourry Schwartzbord died peacefully in Palo Alto, California, on June 3, 2015 after a valiant battle with leukemia. He is survived by his loving wife, Carolyn, and his two children Aaron (Michael Weinstein) and Jeremy. He is also survived by his brother Mort (Vera) and sister Sarah Gelberd (Howard). He is preceded in death by his parents Naftali (March 1984) and Bella (May 2015) Schwartzbord. He was loved by many extended family members and friends, too numerous to list. Ourry was born in Israel, on the Kibbutz Ramat HaKovesh, immigrating to Brooklyn, New York, in 1947. A graduate of Pratt Institute, he studied Food Science and Management, which led to a lifelong career in the food service industry and a passion for food and feeding his extended family. He loved creating works of art, singing with the Peninsula Musical Arts Association, rooting for the Giants/Cal Bears/SJ Sharks, and engaging in spirited political debates defending civil rights and opportunities for all. In his words, he “cared for the little people and the disenfranchised. Hated liars, the greedy, and the entitled who think they made it on their own.” Ourry cared deeply for Israel and the USA, connecting with everyone he came in contact with, and inspired by tikkun olam. He was a truly wonderful man and his kind, generous, loving, and vivacious spirit will be missed by all who knew him. Ourry was buried June 5 at Home of Peace Cemetery, Colma. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Peninsula Jewish Community Center, the Jewish Chaplaincy at Stanford Medical Center, Dr. Bruno Medeiros’ GHBGT Fund at Stanford Medical Center, and the Jewish National Fund.

 Sinai Memorial Chapel

 (650) 369-3636

Bette June Adler Simon

Bette June Adler Simon (1922 – 2015) passed away peacefully in San Rafael on May 3, 2015. Born in Los Angeles to Lacy Read and Albert Adler, and formerly of San Francisco, she is preceded in death by her husband Mervyn of 62 years, brother Tom and son Stephen. Bette was a dedicated philanthropist devoting countless hours to the endeavors of Temple Emanu-El in San Francisco, Jewish Welfare Federation, the United Way, Hadassah, Jewish Family and Children’s Services, Mount Zion and Marin General Hospitals, Hospice and Theta Delta Xi Sorority. Bette loved and adored her family. She is survived by her son Robert (Jeanne) of San Rafael, daughter Susan Eisenberg (Norman) of Ashland, Oregon, many grandchildren, great-grandchildren and longtime friend Gladys Pensabene. Bette accepted life’s challenges with style and grace. She will be greatly missed and remembered for her remarkable courage, kindness and spirit.

Private services were held. Donations in Bette’s memory may be made to the Marin Humane Society, 171 Bel Marin Keys, Novato CA 94947.