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Deaths for the week of April 21, 2017

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Guenther Siegfried Leopold

Guenther Siegfried Leopold was born January 7, 1932 in Frankfurt, Germany and passed away peacefully in his home in Burlingame on April 13, 2017.

Guenther is survived by his wife Adelle (married 59 years), his three children, Sandy Sarnoff, Sue Schwartzman (Gary), Jeff Leopold (Michelle) and six grandchildren: Aaron and Danielle Schwartzman, Jake and Jordan Sarnoff, and Trevor and Parker Leopold, his brother, Ernest Leopold (Carole) and nieces and a nephew.

Guenther and his immediate family escaped Germany in 1939 to the Philippines, where he lived for 6 years before making it to San Francisco.

He attended George Washington High School and Golden Gate University in San Francisco. He was a proud member of Peninsula Temple Sholom, where he served as president among other leadership positions.

His life’s work was Standard 5 & 10 Stores, where Guenther landed his first job as a stock clerk when he was 14 years old. Little did he know that retail would become not only his passion, but also the family business. Standard 5 & 10 was his “happy” place, where he spent 71 years helping customers.

He will be dearly missed and will always be remembered as the sweetest man in the world, a true MENSCH.

Donations can be made to Outsmart Brain Cancer or Peninsula Temple Sholom.


Walter “Wally” S. Pesetsky

Walter “Wally” S. Pesetsky died peacefully at home on April 10th, 2017, holding hands with Cindy, his wife of 55 years. He is missed by his children (and their spouses) Eric, Marc (Laura), Debbie (Drew), and Scott (Jennifer) of Berkeley, and grandchildren Nick, Cole, Erica, Jared, Dean, Grant, Jordan, and Star.

Wally, a stick ball kid from Brooklyn, grew up to be a lifeguard, swim coach, sailor, attorney, mediator, judge, and mayor of North Miami Beach. He was the first in his family to enter college. How did he do it? With a big heart, a warm smile, and kind words.

Twice elected mayor of North Miami Beach, serving 1974-1978, Wally practiced law for over 50 years. After retiring, he returned to competitive swimming. He was taken by ALS, which was diagnosed in his 80th year. Wally focused on helping others. We suggest donations to the ALS Association: www.alsa.org